Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has advised President Bola Tinubu to resolve his alleged rift with Vice President Kashim Shettima and address Nigeria’s pressing economic woes before interfering in the affairs of opposition parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Atiku made the call in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in response to remarks made by President Tinubu during the 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday.
The former Vice President accused Tinubu of being more concerned about his 2027 re-election bid than fulfilling his current responsibilities as the nation’s leader.
“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.
Atiku further alleged that the presidency was using public funds to engineer internal conflict within opposition parties to weaken dissenting voices.
“It is baffling that the presidency is spending scarce public funds to fuel internal divisions in an attempt to weaken alternative political voices,” he said.
He also addressed rumours of disunity within the Coalition of opposition parties, claiming the presidency deliberately tried to stir conflict between supporters of himself and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
“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,” Atiku declared.
