A political pressure group in Oyo state, Pan Oyo Movement (POM), has described the court verdict on Thursday which handed Senator AbdulFatai Buhari a clean bill of health over a debt default allegation by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) as a victory for the good people of the state even as they warned that “those trying to play dirty politics with his name ahead of 2023 general election should bury the thought”.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Thursday described, as fraudulent, the purported court order empowering AMCON to seize some properties belonging to Sen. Buhari over a controversial loan issue between his private company and a commercial bank. Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered AMCON to vacate the premises of the two Abuja houses of the federal lawmaker immediately because the initial ex-parte order was fraudulently obtained from the court.
While reacting to the development in a statement issued on Thursday and distributed to the news men in Ibadan by its Acting Chairman, Mr. Adewale Abdulsalam, and Secretary, Pastor Michael Abidoye, POM said “that most discerning minds knew, from the onset, the report of the asset seizure was a sponsored attack on Sen. Buhari by some influential politicians who have always been intimidated by his soaring image and political pedigree especially as we approach the 2023 general election.
“We knew before hand that our darling enigma was not a type who would get himself enmeshed in any shady deal or betrayal of trust. We carried out our due diligence and got convinced about his character, pedigree and promise before making public our stand to throw him up for the Oyo state governorship ticket in 2023 and this latest development has further cemented our trust and confidence in him as he has proven again to be a man of honour and respect.
“When the news broke that AMCON had had to seize his properties over a spurious six hundred million loan issues, Sen. Buhari took it with calmness and decorum as he had no cause to run helter skelter even though he knew it was the handiwork of some political opponents. He only spoke with his lawyers and few political associates while he continued his sterling stewardship to the good people of Oyo North senatorial district and Oyo state in general.
“And without making any media noise or employing self-help to establish his innocence and non-culpability in the AMCON mess, the Ibapon-born Prince demonstrated rare attributes of a patriot and democrat. In the end, the plot to tarnish his image fell like a pack of cards and the whole world has been made to see that he (Sen. Buhari) is not a betrayer of trust or chronic debtor as some evil forces had wanted to portray him.
“To this end, we urge any of his political opponents and their supporters who may have been jolted by his decision to throw his hat into the ring and contest the gubernatorial ticket of the APC in 2023 to desist from playing dirty politics but rather seek to support the two-term Senator whose record of quality representation, service to humanity and decent practices remains unrivalled in the current political dispensation across the country.
“We also use this medium to appeal to the good of the state particularly leaders and members of Oyo APC to be wary of some anti-democratic forces who might want to employ all foul means to mar the conduct of the ongoing Congresses of the party as well as party primaries expected to hold next year. Only the best is good for Oyo state and with Sen. AbdulFatai Buhari, the Pacesetter state would return to the path of greatness in 2023.” The Group stated.
