From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged his political detractors to prove his alleged corrupt activities, prosecute him or forever remain quiet.

Atiku fuming over attacks from political enemies maintained that he would fight corruption like never before if given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of the country.

He spoke during a facility tour of new ultra-modern Yaliam Press Limited in Jabi area of Abuja, yesterday.

In a statement released by his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said: “It is sickening to continue to regurgitate allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office.”

He added that people who have no initiative, personal resourcefulness and ideas about wealth creation, always assume that a man cannot build himself without stealing.

“People who are bereft of ideas about entrepreneurial spirit always think that everyone else is a thief just like them,” he said.

While insisting that it was morally offensive for people who despise honest labour to become judges in the courts of public opinion, the

Waziri Adamawa explained that though he had not been convicted of corruption by any court in the land or elsewhere, his political enemies have been parading a fake morality to fool gullible Nigerians.

“Despite previous desperate efforts to link me with corruption, the William Jefferson trial in the United States ended in 2009 without indicting me or linking me to corrupt activities,” he said.

Atiku, who was responding to the welcome address by the Chairman/CEO of Yaliam Press Limited, Yahaya Ali Amfani, recalled that he had pasted a reminder at his bed rest during his training as a Custom Officer that he would retire from any agency if he had not attained the headship of the place at the age of 40.

Atiku further said that he was only able to attain the position of Deputy Director before his exit in 1989 to chart a career in business.

Atiku said he retired from the Customs Service with untainted record, insisting that if anybody has evidence that he stole a kobo at the Customs or during his tenure as vice president, such accusers should come forward or file a petition against him.

He maintain that he did not become a vice president in 1999 as a pauper because he had been a successful investor throughout his retirement life, adding: “If Atiku is a thief merely because of his resourcefulness and successful investments, my political enemies should tell Nigerians the sources of their own stupendous wealth.”

He insisted that he is well equipped to fight corruption because of his vast experiences both in the public and private sectors and his ability to build a team capable of accomplishing the task.  his words: “I will shock everyone because I believe that I will fight corruption like never before.”

Last week, Abubakar had accused President Muhammadu Buhari of dumping him after using him as stepping stone to power.

Speaking from Yola in Adamawa State where he celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir festival, Abubakar who was one of the aspirants Buhari defeated in the APC’s primary enroute to becoming president in 2015 after three previous failed attempts said:     “Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved. But sadly, soon after the formation of government, I was sidelined. I have no relationship with the government, I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they are, but three years down the lane, this is where we are.”