President Muhammadu Buhari’s former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Mohammed Lawal has been lambasted by ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s spokesman, Mr. Paul Ibe…

“Lawal was not in the position to say that Atiku did not contribute to Buhari’s campaign. Those in the position knew what transpired. It is not the truth. I remember that I was a Deputy Director in the Presidential Campaign Council.”

“The ex-Vice President contributed his resources, time, counsel, and ideas, including the media resources which played a crucial role. Even after the election, when the media team met with the President, he acknowledged the role of the media unit. After the election, Atiku Media Office became the temporary shelter for the presidential campaign media personnel.”

“Atiku was not accorded the respect he deserves as a major stakeholder during the campaign. He was not even aware of the campaign itinerary. If you didn’t invite a leader for campaign, will you expect him to be there?”

“When they realised what was happening, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, went to the former Vice President who said he was being excluded and there was a promise that they would not sideline him.”

“By coincidence, we ( his aides) also went to meet with Atiku. We asked: ‘Are we to withdraw because you are being excluded,’ But Atiku told us: ‘You are on a historic national assignment; what you have started, you will finish.’”

“So, after the meeting with Amaechi, the ex-VP went full blast into the campaign. He said he did it in the best interest of Nigeria. It is not about Atiku; it is about Nigeria. Everything Atiku said I stand by it. The ex-VP has not been plotting against this administration. He is a democrat who has been giving advice to make sure the government succeeds.”