Focus On Broken Economy, Not Opposition Meddling, Atiku Camp Slams Tinubu

The Atiku Media Office has accused President Bola Tinubu of prioritising attacks on the opposition over addressing the critical challenges facing Nigeria, including a struggling economy and widespread insecurity.

The statement, signed by Paul Ibe, condemned Tinubu’s recent remarks targeting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition platform of opposition parties.

“Attacking the opposition has now become his favourite pastime — even while the country burns under his watch,” the statement declared, characterising Tinubu’s actions as “a distraction by a man clearly overwhelmed by the mess in his own house.”

The Atiku Media Office urged President Tinubu to focus on resolving internal issues within his own administration, specifically citing the alleged rift between Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, and to address the deteriorating Nigerian economy.

The statement further accused the Tinubu administration of actively sponsoring crises within opposition parties, alleging the misuse of public funds to weaken alternative political voices.

“We wish to state for the records that Tinubu and his political camp have been sponsoring crises within the opposition parties,” it read.

“It beats our imagination as to why the presidency is resorting to wasting scarce public funds to stir up internal conflicts in a bid to weaken alternative political voices.”

The Atiku camp claimed that the presidency orchestrated tensions between supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi within the Coalition, but asserted that these attempts have failed, leaving the Coalition “stronger than ever.”

The statement painted a picture of a government adrift and disconnected from the realities facing everyday Nigerians.

“It’s alarming that more than halfway into his controversial and widely rejected mandate, Tinubu is still leading an APC government that is directionless, incompetent, and completely disconnected from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians,” it stated.

While highlighting issues such as worsening insecurity, hunger, and poverty, the statement accused Tinubu of prioritising petty politics and a 2027 re-election campaign over effective governance.

The statement specifically criticized the President’s alleged focus on silencing opposition voices, accusing him of using state institutions, including anti-corruption agencies, to harass and blackmail opposition leaders into joining the APC.

“Rather than wipe out the bandits ravaging Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Niger, and other states, Tinubu is more interested in wiping out opposition voices,” the statement declared.

“His goal is clear: to force Nigeria into a one-party state.”

The statement concluded by asserting that President Tinubu fears the opposition Coalition and believes it poses a threat to his continued hold on power.

The statement ended with a bold prediction: “Tinubu fears the Coalition. He knows it is the Coalition that will send him packing — either back to Bourdillon or Iragbiji.”

This statement served as a stark reminder of the growing tensions and political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 election.