The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a scathing statement calling on President Bola Tinubu to stop meddling in opposition affairs and instead focus on salvaging his troubled administration and Nigeria’s floundering economy.
The statement, signed by Paul Ibe on behalf of the Atiku Media Office, came in response to President Tinubu’s remarks during the 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he reportedly took aim at the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—the platform currently serving as the unifying coalition for several major opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Focus on Opposition Called a ‘Distraction’
Paul Ibe described this pattern of attacks as Tinubu’s “favourite pastime” at a time when the country faces spiraling insecurity, worsening poverty, and an unsteady economy under his leadership. According to Ibe, these public jabs are simply “a distraction by a man clearly overwhelmed by the mess in his own house.”
Governance Rift and Economic Woes
The statement highlighted reports of growing friction between President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as the administration’s failure to stabilize Nigeria’s struggling economy. Critics accused the president of neglecting these internal challenges while expending considerable energy on meddling in opposition affairs.
Allegations of Orchestrated Division
Paul Ibe further alleged that Tinubu and his allies have actively sponsored divisions within opposition ranks by inciting conflict between supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, key figures in the ADC-led Coalition. Despite what the statement calls “presidentially-orchestrated tensions,” Ibe maintained that the coalition has overcome these efforts and remains united.
Claims of Misuse of State Institutions
The statement accused President Tinubu of using state resources and anti-corruption agencies as instruments to pressure and coerce opposition leaders into joining the APC. Ibe alleged that these institutions now serve the singular goal of turning Nigeria into a de facto one-party state.
Criticism Over Insecurity and Political Priorities
Amid ongoing security crises in Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Niger, and other states, the statement argued that Tinubu is more invested in suppressing political opponents than addressing the violence and hardship facing ordinary Nigerians. The Atiku Media Office suggested that the president is now fixated on his 2027 re-election bid, having made little progress since his contested 2023 mandate.
Opposition Coalition Vows to Stand Firm
Concluding the statement, Ibe insisted that President Tinubu’s fear of a united Coalition is driving these attempts at political intimidation. “His goal is clear: to force Nigeria into a one-party state. But let the truth be told — Tinubu fears the Coalition. He knows it is the Coalition that will send him packing — either back to Bourdillon or Iragbiji,” the statement read.
This development signals escalating tensions between President Tinubu’s administration and the opposition, with critics demanding immediate attention to Nigeria’s multiple crises rather than political maneuvering.
