According to The Nation, Jennifer Douglas Abubakar, the third wife of former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar, has explained her reasons for the difficulties that have surrounded her efforts to divorce the politician.
Following Atiku’ s decision to take a new wife, there have been allegations on many social media platforms and in some sectors of the media that Jennifer has requested a divorce from him.
Jennifer revealed in a statement titled: ” Putting the Records Straight” that she had requested a divorce from Atiku on June 26, 2021, ” in light of the disintegration of our marriage. ” Jennifer and Atiku have been married since 2006.
During a statement to The Trent, an online publication, she refuted the charge and described it as ” a campaign of calumny designed to bring me completely into disrepute and cast a negative light on me. ”
The lawyer stated that she had filed for divorce from Atiku on June 26, 2021, and that, contrary to rumors, the marriage had come to an end due to a disagreement over her decision to remain in the United Kingdom (UK) with their children.
Even though Atiku did not inform her about his new relationship, the entrepreneur said she was already aware of it.
” The core reason for the divorce was disagreement over my continued stay in the United Kingdom, to look after my children and several other long- standing issues.
” I needed to play the role of a mother at this time to the children who have gone through the absence of both father and mother growing up, especially with the passage of my elder sister who used to look after them.
” Furthermore, in light of COVID times, choosing to stay with the children was nonnegotiable. And, in line with Northern culture, the new wife takes up the baton, so I can also focus on giving the kids more care.
” Despite not informing us officially, according to northern/Islamic culture, I knew about His Excellency’ s new wife from the time His Excellency was dating her and when His Excellency eventually married her.
” I have graciously invited our new wife to my son’ s wedding in Dubai in 2018 without any ill feelings and congratulated His Excellency when our new wife put to bed.
” I was already aware that His Excellency had got married to our new wife but that did not deter me from supporting His Excellency and, indeed, we went through a most rigorous electioneering campaign and garnered massive support for his election in 2019.
” That His Excellency married a new wife was never the cause of our problem, as many have said. His Excellency is a Muslim and I have never questioned him about his wives or intended” , the statement read.
Jennifer has also denied allegations that she attempted to seize properties belonging to the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria and Dubai, as well as other allegations.
She claims that after she filed for divorce, the politician demanded that she return the house and other items that he had previously given her.
The lawyer also stated that she decided to provide her perspective of the situation to address the different rumors that have been swirling about her efforts to obtain a divorce.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar has described the kidnappings, killings, and sacking of villagers from their places of residence in Niger State as an unfortunate incident.
According to The Punch, Atiku mentioned this in Minna on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Abubakar Bello.
” I mean, the situation that these villagers are in is quite unfortunate, ” he said.
Also regrettable, he said, are the security challenges that the people of Niger State are currently facing.
He said, ” I just got a very very vivid picture of what is going on in Niger State.
” The issue of insecurity in Niger State is a very pathetic situation. I just finished discussing with the governor and it is pathetic” .
Asked whether he had any plans to run for president, he responded by saying that he would inform the press when the time came.
” I will let you know at the appropriate time, ” Atiku stated.