Atiku also accused the presidency of being behind tensions between his supporters and that of Peter Obi.
By Kehinde Okeowo
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to concentrate on fixing Nigeria’s worsening economy and security, instead of meddling in the affairs of opposition parties.
He made this known in a recent statement issued and made available to journalists by his media aide, Paul Ibe.
The former vice president’s comment came after Tinubu’s latest mockery of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), during the 14th APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Speaking during the event, Tinubu said: “It’s not a bad idea to abandon a sinking ship and be absent from a coalition of confusion.”
Reacting to the comment, Atiku alleged that President Tinubu was using government resources and institutions to destabilize opposition parties, describing his actions as a desperate attempt to push Nigeria towards a one-party state.
He added that the incumbent is overly focused on securing re-election in 2027, while neglecting his responsibilities as President and ignoring the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
“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.
“It is baffling that the presidency is spending scarce public funds to fuel internal divisions in an attempt to weaken alternative political voices,” the statement read.
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It further accused the presidency of being behind tensions between supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi within the opposition coalition, saying the effort had failed.
“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.
Atiku also lambasted Tinubu’s administration as incompetent and out of touch with the real issues affecting Nigerians.
He accused President Tinubu of using anti-corruption agencies and other state institutions to intimidate and pressure opposition leaders into joining the APC.
He also advised him to stop the political distractions and focus on solving Nigeria’s pressing problems.
