Nobody has indulged in vote-buying, corruption more than Atiku – Femi Fani-Kayode

The Special Media Project Director of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has been involved in vote buying and corruption more than anyone in the history of Nigeria.

Mr. Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, stated this on Wednesday while presenting the “Decision 2023” program on Channels TV.

He was reacting to a statement by Atiku asking the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to give in to blackmail from other parties by extending the February 10 deadline of the new naira note regime.

The PDP candidate said “anti-democratic elements masquerading as democrats are the ones who are against the CBN” because of its currency redesign and the cashless regime it is aiming for.

He said: “They have planned and lobbied day and night to disrupt the policy. Now, the new move is to lobby for a second postponement of the deadline for changing the currency. I am asking the CBN and the government not to ignore their antics. The CBN should not give in to current pressure.

“There is no further delay of the new naira regime after the expiry of February 10. The election voters are trying to keep the CBN extended until after the election when they will get their bad plans,” Atiku said.

Ever since the CBN introduced the new notes, Nigerians have continued to complain of shortages due to disruptions in banking operations.

Vote buying, corrupt leaders

Mr. Fani Kayode said that Atiku and his party have made plans to buy votes during the 2023 election period.

“No one in the history of Nigeria has indulged in vote buying and corruption more than Atiku Abubakar in every election he has held.

“Secondly, Atiku said this because he knows what his party wants to do. They plan to send money to people in the app throughout the election period. We are saying that he should stop pretending that he is not the biggest fraud, lair, and thief in the history of Nigeria,” he said.

APC campaign officials expressed concern over the insensitivity of the CBN Governor, Atiku, and the PDP party to the plight of the people.

“My Heart is very insensitive at a time like this because people are going through so much,” he said.

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Mr. Fani-Kayode also said that the APC is not involved in buying votes but is focused on ensuring that the presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, wins through free and fair elections.