Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, left for the United States on Thursday aboard a British Airways flight following the withdrawal of his official jet by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Atiku was scheduled to begin a two-week holiday on Wednesday but had to shift the date to enable him book a reservation on a commercial flight in anticipation of reprisal from his boss.

A statement issued by The Atiku Campaign Organisation (ACO) on Thursday said Obasanjo had earlier approved the trip and the use of the official plane.

It added, "no explanation was given for the withdrawal and (Atiku) only knew of the withdrawal of the jet on arrival at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja at midnight of Wednesday.

"No official communication was made to him about the presidential order, except for the verbal information passed by the airport commandant to the effect that the President had, on landing from a trip, personally ordered him to ground (Atiku’s) aircraft."
The aeroplane, a Gulf Stream 11, was bought in 2002 after the National Assembly appropriated funds for it specifically for the use of the Vice President.

"The President has now commandeered it in a fashion suggestive that it is a personal property. It will also be recalled that a brand new aircraft and a helicopter have also been bought for the President, but for over a year now, he has taken personal control of the Vice Presidential jet’s movement, approving trips and explicitly ordering that the plane must return to Abuja after dropping Atiku; be it in Yola, Lagos or any foreign country," the statement said.
"The order is that the plane only returns to bring back (Atiku) wherever he is, but it never waits for him as was the practice when its movement was monitored by the office of Chief of Staff for administrative purposes."

The ACO condemned the "crude and disgraceful" power show by Obasanjo whose latest action has further exposed him as a "mean-spirited, small-minded man" who has "debased democracy" by his illegal conduct and autocratic style.
[b]"We condemn this nauseating over-personalisation of power and a despicable slide into dictatorship and tyranny.

"[/b]The ACO urged the National Assembly and democrats to condemn the harassment of Atiku, now the Presidential candidate of Action Congress (AC), which has also slammed Obasanjo for denying him the use of the jet.

The AC said the development reflects the crude tactics used by the President and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to further denigrate the office of the Vice President.

In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the AC said the development also confirms fears expressed by Atiku after picking the Presidential ticket of the AC in Lagos on Wednesday.

He had said he was sure the government would step up his persecution after dumping the PDP.

The party argued that Obasanjo’s action smacks of intolerance, lack of respect for the rule of law and is a dangerous indication of what to expect from an "increasingly-jittery and desperate President", who is bent on stifling all opposing views and imposing his cronies on the people in 2007.

"(Atiku’s) request to use the Presidential plane is a mere formality, not an indication of the power of the President over its use or otherwise.

"We are worried that this action may be the beginning of the withdrawal of the privileges attached to (Atiku), but we reject this lawless act and any act of intimidation against a sitting Vice President.

"All our members across the country will resist, with the last drop of our blood, any humiliation of our Presidential candidate by anyone, no matter how highly placed.

"Democracy is about the contest of ideas, not about a cabal of power maniacs riding roughshod over all opposition."

It was learnt that the chartered Associated Airline craft that Atiku used from Lagos to Abuja after the AC convention was denied landing at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja on Wednesday night.

Presidential spokesperson, Remi Oyo, would not comment on the development. She referred our correspondent to the Aviation minister, even though the presidential fleet is not under the Aviation Ministry.

First of all, I will like to clear the air by making it clear to everybody that I'm not Atiku's fan, hence my response to this topic is not personal but sincere, as I crave for my lovely country, Nigeria to progress efficiently, effectively and unitedly.

But my brothers and sisters, how do you explain this unprofessional, childish, horrible and substandard move of Mr president?

This action, to me, is a sign of despicable slide into dictatorship and tyranny.

We should all condemn this atrocious behavior; this is purely not a way to run things effectively in Nigeria.

I can't wait for all the rubbish to disappear and witness the return of the real civilization/ democracy in Nigeria.

May God bless Nigeria.

OBJ has become an embarrassment to all well meaning Nigerians. THAT MAN IS DEMONIC

We have too many jealous people in power

He is satanic, worse than Lucifer. Nigerians regret having him as their president. He is narrowly minded, let him begin to pack his things because he must leave office come May 2007. God Bless Nigeria

OBJ has no rights whatsoever to do that.
OBJ can ask the senator representing his district to begin the impeachment reading or whatever against Atiku.

For the avoidance of doubt, Both men OBJ/Atiku have breached the constitution severally with absolute impunity.

I have said before in this forum, at newstands, called in on TV shows / Radio shows to demand the impeachment of these corrupt leaders. I say it again without equivocation, Nigeria would fair better if these men are removed as leaders of this country.

Both men are morally incompetent. Their partnership have not produced any credible result. The N.Assy should impeach them b4 they commit more harm on us. Sen Pres. Ken Nnamani should take over as president and ensure we have a credible, free and fair elections come 2006. If it does not happen this way, Yar Adua, Atiku, or Buhari may win and God alone knows what hell may be unleashed if that happens.

@ DEEP Soul:
This is Nigeria and we are Nigerians; for God sake, why are you comparing Nigeria to Zimbabwe? Why not compare Nigeria to United States or Switzerland?
Do you remember the old adage that says " never compare yourself to Failure"?

I'm very disappointed that your Name, Deep Soul doesn't match your state of mind.

FYI: what goes on between the Nigerian number 1 man and number 2 man does effect every one of us in every way.

Think about it.

May God bless Nigeria.

There are reports that Atiku has fled the country http://odili.net/news/source/2006/dec/24/554.html

@4play:

This news is not confirmed.

I truly do not see any reason why ATIKU should be running.

He should not make the mistake of coming back until this administration is over. He should just name his running mate who will do the campaigning for him. Unless of course the senate and house of reps declare that they are on his side and a court rules that the actions of the president are null and void.

Why the hell should even OBJ himself travel on a holiday on tax payers money.
If its a holiday let him use his personal private jet if he has one or travel like anyother person
Well done Mr presdent

s t o r y

DEEP SOUL, sweet heart:

You need to go back, read your post one more time and understand it. It seems to me that you're contradicting or deviating from your original statement.

This is one of the reasons why it is very important to think first and then place a post; "not place a post first and then think"

Posted by DEEP SOUL:

Lucifer Jeez!! If una see demon, una fit talk

Go to Zimbabwe and see what Mugabe's doin there. Now, what would u call that??!

I do not support his decision to "withdraw" the jet but excuse me, how does that affect the common Nigerian??

What has that got 2 do with good governance??

Puhleese! There r more pressing issues jare!

deep soul

I do not support his decision to "withdraw" the jet but excuse me, how does that affect the common Nigerian??

You should learn to read between the line. The jet does not belong to OBJ but Nigeria. If OBJ can do that to his vice-president, then you can imagine what he would do to Mr Nobody on the street.

The man is psyco. Same OBJ wiped-out ODI. Abacha started like that. It is time you people speak up, with clear voice.

Even Bush and Blair travel on holidays with the presidential jet and with state paraphernalia - why should OBJ be an exemption? He should enter Molue? Thats how we want our leader demeaned.