Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing them of interfering in the affairs of opposition parties while ignoring Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.
In a strongly worded statement released by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku lambasted the President for mocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during the recent 14th APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, claiming it reflects a broader strategy to undermine opposition parties.
“President Tinubu should first resolve the visible rift between himself and Vice President Kashim Shettima and fix Nigeria’s broken economy before meddling in the affairs of the ADC,” the statement read.
Atiku alleged that Tinubu’s administration is using public funds and state institutions to destabilise alternative political voices in a desperate bid to create a one-party state. He also accused the presidency of engineering conflicts within the opposition coalition, particularly between his supporters and those of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
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“We are fully aware that the supposed disagreements between supporters of Atiku and Peter Obi within the Coalition were deliberately stirred up by the presidency. Sadly for them, that divisive tactic has failed. The cracks have been mended, and the Coalition is now stronger than ever,” the statement added.
The former Vice President described the APC-led government as “directionless, incompetent, and completely disconnected from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians,” citing rising insecurity, hunger, and poverty as evidence of failure.
He further accused the Tinubu administration of weaponising anti-corruption agencies to harass opposition figures into defecting to the APC, warning that such intimidation tactics were undermining democracy.
Atiku concluded by urging the President to abandon political distractions and instead focus on addressing Nigeria’s urgent socioeconomic problems.
“The presidency is spending scarce public funds to fuel internal divisions in an attempt to weaken alternative political voices, President Tinubu must rise above petty politics and lead a government that truly serves the people,” the statement said.
