Hafid Derradji: “That’s why I asked Pt Bouteflika to exempt me from list of citizens under his rule”

Renowned Algerian media figure, Hafid Derradji, has affirmed that some shadowy bigwigs within the political apparatus have coercively prodded Abdellaziz Bouteflika to vie for a straight fourth mandate during last April 17 presidential polls with the aim of obfuscating the widespread cases of corruption in which they are involved despite an earlier statement made during a visit to the eastern city of Setif by President Bouteflika himself who clearly said that he felt unable to govern the country for a new term in office.

Hafid Derradji indicated in a program broadcast by Echorouk TV on Tuesday evening that in the wake of Bouteflika’s clear – cut statement made in Setif calling for a new leadership at the helm of the nation excluding the fossilized Old Guard, he was among a lot of citizens who then stood by him and supported him.

He said he hoped that the standing notion clamoured for long by the ruling establishment of the so – called historical legitimacy and the revolutionary era was finally drawing to a close, but to no avail.

Bouteflika asserted at that time: “enough is enough, I’m worn out, I have to go” but numerous people including myself were baffled and shocked after the unexpected announcement of his 2014 candidacy for a new presidential mandate, Hafid Derradji underscored.

In one of his writings in the press before the April 17 presidential elections, Hafid Derradji expressed his utter disappointment at Bouteflika’s move, telling him: “you decided to run for a fourth term, I’m sure you’ll win again in the polls but I want you to exempt me from the list of citizens you’ll govern during this fourth term”.

Hafid Derradji however said that he didn’t mean any harm to Bouteflika himself but was loath to those surrounding him making up his inner circle that drove him unwittingly to seek re-election despite his very questionable health and his old age.

Hafid Derradji pointed out that these “shadowy vultures” were eager to take advantage of his protection for their corruption and malpractice misdeeds in all impunity and in blatant violation of all the country’s laws and regulations.

 Moreover, Hafid Derradji stressed that through his press writings, he brought to the fore the imperious necessity of fostering genuine democracy, freedom and the separation of powers in the country while admitting that he’d also upheld the ANP Army as an institution in its bounden duty of defending the country’s territorial integrity and safeguarding national sovereignty.