Atiku Condemns Jonathan's Response To Ivorian Power Struggle

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 07, (THEWILL) - Former Vice President and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar yesterday in Gombe condemned Nigeria's tepid response to the looming anarchy in Cote 'Ivoire. Atiku told newsmen that as ECOWAS chairman and regional power, Nigeria should have called an emergency meeting to demand that the result of the electoral commission, which gave victory to Allasanne Quattarra, be respected. "It is the electoral commission which conducts and releases results. The constitutional council cannot usurp the powers of the electoral commission. Its role is to confirm the results," Atiku said. He called on Nigeria to provide leadership by ensuring that the winner of the election takes over as President. He called on the loser, Laurent Gbagbo to accept defeat and to spare the war-fatigued people of Cote 'Ivoire another round of bloodletting. Atiku dismissed the notion of such a crisis happening in Nigeria, saying INEC is the only institution constitutionally empowered to conduct and release results. The presidential aspirant was of the opinion that President Goodluck Jonathan's failure to provide leadership in Cote d'Ivoire was typical of his lacklustre style. Atiku and his entourage arrived Gombe to a colourful reception. Accompanied by two-plane loads of associates and campaign directors that included ex Senate President Ken Nnamani and ex CBN governor Charles Soludo, Atiku paid courtesy calls on Governor Danjuma Goje and traditional rulers before addressing PDP delegates.