APC cries to anti-graft, security agencies to investigate Atiku's 'sinister' Dubai trip

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted anti-graft agencies and security agencies to investigate the trip of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The former vice president travelled to Dubai last month shortly after winning the presidential ticket of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to contest in the 2019 presidential election.

He has since been engaged in a series of strategy meetings that have notably included his running mate, Peter Obi, PDP's National Chairman, Uche Secondus, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and several notable PDP members.

In a statement signed by the APC's Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, he alleged that the real motive of Atiku's stay in Dubai should be investigated by the relevant agencies.

He said the trip might be an elaborate plot by the PDP to move cash illicitly to induce voters for next year's election.

The statement read, "The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus met in Dubai few days ago according to media reports to "plot strategies to oust President Muhammadu Buhari" in next year's election.

"The purpose of the said meeting is both comical and ridiculous as they have held several meetings for the same purpose in Nigeria. Clearly, the meetings held in Nigeria did not yield their desired results, hence, a follow up meeting in Dubai.

"But we know the way of these set of politicians and the political party they represent. There is more to the meeting that meets the eye. Nigeria has enough meeting/conference rooms, many of which meet international standards.

"It is therefore clear that the Dubai meeting is for other sinister political purposes ahead of the 2019 elections.

"Our intelligence, anti-graft and security agencies must be awake to its responsibility of investigating the Dubai meeting. Cash and carry politicians must be prevented from moving illicit cash around to induce voters and sponsor election violence and rigging.

"Again, relevant agencies must check suspicious movement of cash both locally and internationally by politically exposed persons under the guise of a "Dubai meeting" or any clandestine meeting.

"We are mindful of how millions of dollars were confiscated in an aircraft belonging in a Nigerian PDP sympathizer in South Africa in the leadup to the 2015 elections. The case of N250 million cache found in the Mr. Peter Obi's private office in Lagos remains unresolved.

"Another round of election is here and it is not unlikely that they are playing a repeat performance, under the guise of holding a meeting in Dubai. Our security agencies should be on the watch for a stitch in time saves nine."

The 2019 presidential election, scheduled for February 16, 2019, is expected to be keenly-contested between Atiku and President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. 79 candidates will contest in the election, the highest number ever in Nigeria's electoral history.