Atiku attacks Tinubu, APC over alleged meddling in opposition parties

• Atiku accused Tinubu of using public resources and state agencies to intimidate opposition leaders and destabilise rival political parties.
• He criticised the presidency for fuelling divisions among opposition members but said the coalition between Atiku and Obi is stronger.

The former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of meddling in opposition affairs instead of tackling Nigeria’s economic and security crises.

Paul Ibe, media aide to Atiku, said this in a statement while reacting to Tinubu’s mockery of the African Democratic Congress during the 14th APC National Executive Committee meeting.

The statement alleged that the President was using public resources and government institutions to destabilise opposition parties in a desperate bid to push Nigeria towards a one-party system.

According to the statement, Tinubu is preoccupied with securing re-election in 2027 while ignoring his duties as president and the daily struggles of 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,” the statement read.

“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 also accused the presidency of sponsoring divisions between Atiku and Peter Obi’s supporters within the opposition coalition, but noted that the tactic 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,” it added.

Atiku described the Tinubu administration as “directionless, incompetent, and completely disconnected from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians,” citing worsening insecurity, hunger and poverty.

He further alleged that the President was using anti-corruption agencies and other state bodies to pressure opposition leaders to join the APC.

The opposition leader urged Tinubu to end what he called political distractions and focus on finding solutions to Nigeria’s pressing problems.