Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), has employed the services of a US lobbyist firm to advance his
challenge of the outcome of the February 23 presidential polls.
President
Muhammadu Buhari defeated Atiku with over three million votes in the
election but he rejected the results and filed a suit before the
presidential election petition tribunal challenging the process which he
said was “heavily militarised” and results manipulated.
According
to a report by Centre for Responsive Politics (CRP), Bruce Fein, former
justice department official and his firm Fein & DelValle PLLC
registered on March 24 as foreign agents on behalf of PDP and Atiku.
The
firm is expected to “encourage Congress and the executive to forbear
from a final declaration and recognition of Nigeria’s February 23, 209
presidential election until outstanding legal challenges to the initial
government of Nigeria assertion that incumbent President Muhammadu
Buhari was the victor are impartially and independently resolved by the
supreme court of Nigeria without political or military influence,
intimidation or manipulation”.
Atiku is seeking to be recognised
by the US as the president of Nigeria, and halt the final declaration of
Buhari as the president until the matter is ruled upon by the supreme
court.
According to the firm, parts of its services on behalf of
Atiku includes to “Meet and consult with members of Congress and staff
in an effort to pass House and Senate resolution(s) to forebear from a
final declaration and recognition of a winner of the 2019 Federal
Republic of Nigeria presidential election pending legal challenges to
the initial assertion that incumbent President Buhari was the victor are
impartially and independently resolved by the Nigerian judiciary in
accordance with the rule of law and due process, free from military or
political influence
“Draft articles and op-ed pieces to spotlight
the issues in Nigeria post-2019 presidential election arid to promote
the rule of law and due process in resolving electoral disputes in
Nigeria.
“Make television and other media appearances to engage in public advocacy discussions of these issues.”
In
a letter replying Atiku’s request for their services, the firm said a
“Nigerian barrister and trusted confidant of Your-Excellency Dr. Lloyd
Ukwu, will assist in the operations of the U.S. Situation Room”
It added that Fein will be paid $30,000 over a 90-day contract.
The firm said its lobbying effort will demonstrate that an Atiku presidency is “the will of the People.”
It
added that its services will convince the United States that an
“Abubakar presidency” will open a fresh and new chapter in Nigerian
politics, while “highlight the declining rule of law, democracy and clue
process in Nigeria under the APC and the current administration.”
It
said it will establish that if Atiku “is denied victory”, problems like
genocide, poverty, corruption and strife will “undoubtedly continue.”
