.jpeg "Atiku asks Obi and Kwankwaso for their support, per Tinubu's certificate")
Atiku, who also participated in the presidential election conducted on February 25, 2023, as a candidate representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), appealed for the backing of his political adversaries during a global press conference convened in Abuja on Thursday.
The decision to convene an international news conference was made by the ex-Vice President in response to the disclosure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's educational credentials by Chicago State University (CSU).
According to Atiku, political leadership and active citizenship hold significance as they serve as means through which collective efforts are employed to construct a nation that caters to the needs of its whole populace.
The magnitude of our nation beyond the individual, and its global influence significantly impacts the destiny of its inhabitants. As individuals in positions of leadership, it is incumbent upon us to actively promote the overall welfare of both our constituents and the nation as a whole.
With the objective in mind, our generation exerted considerable effort to facilitate the withdrawal of military personnel to their designated barracks and safeguard the populace's entitlement to elect and create a duly recognized governing body.
The electoral process in Nigeria is formed and regulated by legal frameworks, and its legitimacy is derived solely from the constitution, which serves as the foundation for leadership and governance in the country
The individuals regard us as leaders who are responsible for upholding and, if required, safeguarding these regulations. This is the underlying reason for our presence in this context.
In the present day, there exists a collective responsibility for everyone to reaffirm and safeguard the fundamental principles of democratic governance inside our nation. The constitution delineates the prerequisites for anyone aspiring to attain the most esteemed elected position within the nation.
The duration required for institutions to verify the authenticity of certificates submitted by candidates for public office should not be excessively prolonged, spanning months or even decades.
The endeavor was embarked upon with significant expenditure and for significant purposes. It is imperative to uphold the established principles and regulations governing legal government within our nation, as the reputation of our country is at risk. The impact of this phenomenon extends to all individuals of Nigerian descent, regardless of their geographical location.
I identify as a Democrat based on my deeply held beliefs, and I am a patriotic citizen of my beloved nation. The matters under consideration in this particular case necessitate a renewed commitment on our part to both our nation and the principles outlined in our constitution.
Now, we bestow upon all of us, both as citizens and as leaders of the institutions tasked with the interpretation of our constitution, the responsibility of safeguarding these factual pieces of information.
I express my gratitude to the legal professionals in both Nigeria and the United States, whose assistance has been instrumental in resolving the complex issues that have remained unresolved within our institutions for a period of almost twenty-five years.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the residents of Nigeria and individuals who are associated with Nigeria, both domestically and internationally, for their patience during our efforts to ascertain the facts and confirm the veracity of the matter.
I would like to express my admiration for the deceased Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, a prominent advocate for human rights, whose influence has greatly motivated us in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
Now, he can find solace in the knowledge that his endeavors, initiated some 23 years ago, have reached their intended outcome. The vindication of Gani in the present context lends support to the adage that, regardless of the speed at which falsehoods propagate, veracity will eventually prevail.
The quotation attributed to Thomas Jefferson, a former President of the United States, expresses a preference for a scenario in which newspapers exist without government, rather than a scenario in which government exists without newspapers. Journalists have demonstrated unwavering vigilance by uncovering the Watergate crisis and scrutinizing the questionable credentials of politicians, effectively filling the void left by other branches of government.
David Hundeyin, an independent journalist, deserves appreciation for his exceptional work, which, along with the efforts of several other young individuals, serves as a source of inspiration.
Acknowledgements are owed to the vast number of Nigerian youths and citizen journalists who persistently disseminate factual information on online platforms, even in the absence of an attentive audience.
Undoubtedly, the cost of preserving freedom is a perpetual state of watchfulness. The individuals in question have demonstrated a strong dedication to prioritizing the welfare of their nation by firmly committing themselves to the pursuit of truth and the establishment of accountability among leaders.
This instills optimism within me, since it suggests that we have commendable allies in our endeavor to regain control of the nation we consider our place of residence. This quest does not pertain to or revolve on Atiku Abubakar. The pursuit of establishing truth, morality, and accountability in our public affairs is a paramount endeavor.
In accordance with the aforementioned, I hereby implore all Nigerian citizens who possess a genuine concern for the welfare of the nation, including esteemed intellectuals, religious figures, traditional leaders, community leaders, political figures, specifically Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, as well as leaders from all political parties in Nigeria.
Furthermore, I extend this call to every individual who harbors a deep affection for our country, as I do, and who desires nothing but the utmost prosperity for our nation, as I do. I urge you all to unite with me in this endeavor to establish integrity, transparency, and the fundamental principles of justice, morality, and ethical conduct within our country and its governance. According to Atiku, this responsibility applies to every individual.
Atiku is currently pursuing a legal challenge to President Tinubu's triumph at the Supreme Court after to the dismissal of his appeal by the Presidential Elections appeal Tribunal (PEPT).
The individual explicitly expressed their intention to utilize the academic records furnished by CSU as evidentiary support in their legal proceedings against Tinubu in the Supreme Court.