Obasanjo/Atiku Regime Closest Government To Military Dictatorship Since 1999, Says Group

In a swift response to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent criticism, the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) stated that President Bola Tinubu’s government’s adherence to human rights principles is far superior to the Obasanjo-Atiku administration.

The group described Atiku Abubakar’s claims that the human rights situation under the Tinubu administration was similar to the military era as dishonest and deceptive, claiming that Tinubu’s record thus far is unquestionable and above board.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG stated that the government led by Atiku Abubakar was the most dictatorial since 1999.

The group stated, “Of course, we were not surprised that the former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has adopted launching a series of unjustified attacks on the President Bola Tinubu administration in his hollow pastime, prancing around the political space to seek a sixth bid for the presidency.”

“But, like all of his previous attempts, the latest dig at the President is not only devious but also cynical, especially since he claimed that the Tinubu administration’s human rights credentials’surpass even the harshest days of military dictatorship.’”

“It is unbelievable that a supposed elder statesman, who once claimed he had to flee into exile during one of the country’s military regimes, could be so dishonest as to try to package a lie and sell it to Nigerians in exchange for excessive political ambition.

“Anyone who was even a teenager during the military era will recall how the country was awash with real, not imagined, stories of missing activists, journalists, and, in some cases, politicians, as well as the detention of people without trial, not to mention cases of terrifying assassinations that remain unresolved to this day.

“In fact, we make the bold claim that the military-era trend continued into the post-military years of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, during which Atiku Abubakar was a key player and enforcer as Vice President.

“There was no record of Atiku’s complaints about the wave of arbitrary arrests and detentions of Nigerians that lasted more than a year in some cases.” Gani Adams, Frederick Fasehun, and even Asari Dokubo were detained for months before being charged in court.

“Atiku was a key player in a government that arbitrarily deposed state governors and even orchestrated the Gestapo-style abduction of a governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, in a clear violation of democratic ideals.

“There was also the invasion and devastation of the Odi and Zaki Biam communities in Bayelsa and Benue states, respectively, under the watch of Atiku Abubakar and his boss, in a manner that was not only unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history but also outraged the international community. Even in the heyday of the military, the country had never seen such devastation of lives and property during peacetime.

“The Obasanjo/Atiku Presidency changed Senate Presidents like nappies, as no other administration had dared to do. This is the same man who likens the Tinubu administration to a military regime!”

The group also accused Atiku of opposing security agencies’ efforts to stem the tide of insecurity in the country by making false and outrageous claims about the Department of State Service’s (DSS) recent activities.

“For the avoidance of doubt, security operatives did not raid the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) or any civil society organisation, as suggested by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“Aside from the DSS, the National Civil Society of Nigeria (NCSCN) has debunked the false narrative used by the former Vice President and his media team to make wild claims against the Tinubu administration.

“As for President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Joe Ajaero, we wonder how a man still hoping to be President would set out to demonise security personnel for doing their jobs.

“Nigerians now know that the Labour leader was never detained, nor was he with the DSS for more than the hours allowed by law, in contrast to what Nigerians witnessed during Atiku’s tenure as Vice President.

“What is more shocking is that he used the issue to mock the ongoing efforts of our brave men and women in the security forces to make the country safer,” it added.

TMSG urged Nigerians to see the former Vice President and his team’s attacks as a sign of frustration over his continued rejection by the Nigerian people. I