TheCable

Michael Achimugu, a former aide to Atiku Abubakar, says he would not visit the office of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) until he receives an invitation addressed to him.

The CCB had sent an invitation to Festus Keyamo, spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, over a petition he filed requesting the probe of Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Keyamo had accused the PDP candidate of diverting public funds through special-purpose vehicles while he was Nigeria’s vice-president.

Keyamo’s petition was premised on an audio recording released by Achimugu.

Consequently, the CCB in its invitation asked Keyamo to bring Achimugu along.

Responding via Twitter,  Achimugu said: “I am nobody’s toy to bring along.”

Although he thanked the bureau “for seizing the initiative to commence investigations into this case despite the elite status of the former vice-president”,  he said he would not honour an invitation that was not addressed to him.

“I am not in Mr. Keyamo’s custody and, as such, he can’t be asked to ‘come along with…’ me,” he said.

“I am neither his employee nor his relative, and we have never lived together.

“The letter refers to me as one ‘Michael Achimugu’. I am an individual whose existence is verifiable, and given that I am the whistle-blower in this matter, I should not be addressed as one Michael Achimugu. I find it condescending.

“If the CCB needs my presence and testimony in this matter, I expect to receive a letter of invitation addressed to me, not the rather weird document circulating the internet.

“I am not one to allow people to decide what my self-worth should be. That decision is solely mine, and I have never abdicated it to anyone else. It will not start today with the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“I will not honour an invitation that is not mine. I am nobody’s toy to bring along.

“It is my hope that institutions will treat all citizens with the courtesy we all deserve. I have served as Media Consultant/Aide to more than one presidential candidate in this country, and I have excelled.

“I am a citizen of Nigeria and a leader of teams of young and old compatriots who have gone on to add value to society. I have received letters of recommendation for my work. I am Michael Achimugu, not “one Michael Achimugu.”

The whistle-blower added that his security must be guaranteed before he attends to any invitations.

“Since my revelations, my family and I have been threatened both here on Twitter and offline,” he said.

“Thugs have been to my abode, and some of my friends have been harassed. I am being tracked electronically, and I know that they are not tracking me to give me a hug.

“I will be glad to offer any assistance required by relevant agencies in ensuring that this case comes to an equitable and transparent conclusion and that the best interest of Nigerians, be it as individuals or the collective, be well-served.”