Following the revelation of the All Progressive Party on the true nationality of PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakear, the Coalition of Minority Tribes in Nigeria has called on the presidential candidate to go back to his country and also pen an apology to Nigerians.

According to reports, the demand was made by the coalition while speaking to journalists on Monday, April 15.  The secretary general of the coalition, Abdulmuminu Hassan, alleged that Atiku’s nationality and his intentional concealment of same is an offense to humanity, hence, Nigerians deserve an unreserved apology from him and his party.

 

Hassan further added that the issue of his (Atiku’s) questionable nationality must have been the reason General Ibrahim Babangida refused to appoint him as the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service.

Hassan further adds that the coalition was giving the PDP presidential aspirant a 21-day ultimatum to return to Cameroon to reunite with his family members. “The Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria is indeed alarmed that the paternity of Alhaji Atiku was unlet undetected and he aspired and held the number two position of Vice President in Nigeria,” Hassan said.

Hassan also said that Atiku’s relationship with Simon Ateba, a Nigerian based Cameroonian journalist who was arrested in Cameroon leaves more to be imagined. “Consequently, the Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria wishes to use this medium to issue a 21-day ultimatum to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar return to Cameroon to reunite with his family members. This is important to save Nigerians the trauma of having to deal with his nationality.

”The Conference of Minority also wishes to advise Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to in an alternative solution seek naturalization as a Nigerian by applying to the Federal Ministry of Interior in Nigeria.

”This way Nigerians would forgive him for his sins and show him understanding since he has lived the better part of his life in Nigeria,” Hassan added.

It will be recalled that Atiku has reacted to the claims of the APC on his nationality. Reacting to the claim, through his aide, Paul Ibe on Friday, April 12, Atiku said that it is an insult to Nigerians and the office of Vice President, which he (Atiku) occupied for eight years, for the APC to allege that he is not a Nigerian.

“That is idiotic. It is idiotic. And it is ridiculous. Atiku Abubakar is a former vice president of Nigeria. Are they telling us that a former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not a Nigerian? That is disrespectful to Nigerians and for the office he has held, which other people will hold and will continue to hold. Everything must not be on the alter of politics.”

Meanwhile, the allegations put forward by the APC has been interpreted in several political quarters as a counter attack following Atiku’s move to hire a foreign lobbyist to influence Trumps decision not to interact with the Nigerian government until the Elections Tribunal gives a ruling on his petition faulting the result of the February 23 election.

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