The media office of former vice-president Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his comments at the 14th meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, accusing him of deflecting from Nigeria’s economic and security challenges by attacking opposition parties.
In a statement issued by Paul Ibe, spokesperson to Atiku, the opposition accused Tinubu of turning the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described as the coalition platform of the opposition, into a “punching bag” in a bid to distract from the failings of his administration.
Ibe said: “Attacking the opposition has now become his favourite pastime — even while the country burns under his watch.
“This constant attack on the opposition is a distraction by a man clearly overwhelmed by the mess in his own house.”
He alleged that Tinubu’s presidency was sponsoring crises within opposition parties to destabilise them ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Ibe, the supposed divisions between supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, two major opposition figures, were “orchestrated by the presidency” to sow discord within the coalition.
“Unfortunately for them, their divisive game has failed. The cracks have been sealed, and the coalition stands stronger than ever,” he said.
The statement also pointed to a “growing rift” between Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, claiming that the president should “sort out”
problems in his administration before “poking his nose” into ADC’s affairs.
Describing the Tinubu-led APC government as “directionless, incompetent, and disconnected from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians,” Ibe said the president had abandoned governance to pursue an early re-election campaign.
His words: “While Nigerians grapple with worsening insecurity, hunger, and poverty, Tinubu is busy playing petty politics.
“He has nothing to show for his 2023 mandate and is already fixated on 2027.”
Ibe accused the president of using anti-corruption agencies to harass and blackmail opposition leaders into defecting to the APC, adding that the strategy is aimed at turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
