Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lashed out at President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly meddling in opposition politics while the nation battles worsening economic and security challenges.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku condemned Tinubu’s recent remarks mocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the APC’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. He accused the administration of using government institutions and public funds to destabilize rival parties in an effort to push Nigeria toward a one-party system.
“The Tinubu administration is more concerned with political domination than with solving the real problems facing Nigerians,” the statement read. “Instead of addressing the dire economic situation and growing insecurity, they’re fixated on undermining opposition parties for selfish political gain ahead of 2027.”
Atiku further criticized Tinubu for neglecting internal issues within his own government, citing alleged tensions between the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima. “He should focus on mending the cracks within his administration and fixing the economy before poking his nose into the affairs of the ADC,” the statement added.
The former Vice President also accused the presidency of deliberately stoking divisions between his supporters and those of Peter Obi within the broader opposition movement—claims he said have backfired. “These attempts to sow discord between opposition factions were orchestrated by the presidency, but they have failed. The coalition is now more united than ever,” he asserted.
He described the APC-led government as “clueless, disconnected, and grossly incompetent,” blaming it for the rising levels of hunger, poverty, and insecurity across the country. He also alleged that anti-corruption agencies are being weaponized to intimidate opposition figures into defecting to the APC.
Calling for a shift in focus, Atiku urged President Tinubu to abandon political distractions and concentrate on real governance. “Nigeria is in crisis. What the country needs now is leadership, not political gamesmanship,” he said.
As of press time, the presidency has not officially responded to the allegations. However, Atiku’s remarks have further stirred political tensions amid the country’s ongoing socioeconomic challenges.
