More details have emerged on the origin of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Responding to interview questions at ‘The Candidates’, an NTA anchored interactive session for leading presidential candidates ahead of 2019 presidential election, Peoples Democratic party (PDP) presidential hopeful relived that “I in particular brought the concept of the EFCC from Brazil. I borrowed them N300 million from the privatization proceeds which they repaid when the budget appropriation was made.”
Atiku further averred that President Obasanjo set up a panel with him as chairman with the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Security Adviser as members which were able to recover $4 billion.
Explaining more on the alleged United States report which named his wife, Atiku made it clear and explicit that “My wife was not indicted, was not charged, so I have no view about it. The company was fined for a number of offences committed, not necessarily for anything to do with my wife. My wife is an American citizen so there is no way that she would not have been charged.”
On whether his wife had ever entered US since the issue was raised, Atiku was quick to affirm that “Yes, she has been traveling repeatedly.”
Referring to the earlier position of his former boss who once said he is unfit for public office, PDP presidential hopeful averred that “If the man has changed his mind and said that I recommend him as the best, then I have nothing to say.”
Atiku was quick to further add that “I am about the most investigated person during the Obasanjo administration and nothing criminal was found against me”.
On why he is desirous of leading Nigeria, Atiku recalled that “In the last four years we have witnessed the performance of the present administration and I believe that Nigerians should compare with the record of the previous PDP administration”.
However, general view of many Nigerians who monitored the interaction showed that the duo of PDP presidential hopeful clearly trashed every issue so raised with high level intelligence and dexterity when compared to other presidential candidates who had appeared at The Candidate Arena with Kadera Ahmed.
