The Sun News On-line

Former vice president and presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in last year’s presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has indicated his intention to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Power and Steel probing the award of contracts in the energy sector.

Responding to the invitation extended to him by the House, Atiku said although he has little or nothing to offer on the energy probe, he would still appear before the panel on May 12, 2008.
Atiku, who is currently out of the country, said he would return home earlier than planned to honour the invitation because of the respect he has for the legislature.

The letter to the chairman, House Committee on Power and Steal, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu by Abdullahi Nyako, on behalf of Atiku and dated May 7, 2008, said: “I have been directed by the former vice president, H.E. Atiku Abubakar GCON to acknowledge receipt of your letter with reference number HR3/CT.47/26/Vol. 1/104 dated 3rd May 2008 and received on 6th May 2008.
“Although the former vice president has maintained that he has little or nothing to offer on the subject of the public hearing, he would still appear before the committee, as requested, as a mark of respect for the legislature.

“H.E. Atiku Abubakar, who is currently out of the country on some private engagements, has commenced the process of securing an early booking to enable him arrive the country before Monday 12th May, 2008.

“Please accept the assurances of the former vice president’s high regards, please.”
The House committee probing the award of contracts in the energy sector by the immediate past Federal Government had, on Tuesday, extended an invitation to Atiku and his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to appear before it to clear some issues in the NIPP projects.