ATIKU TO APC: 2027 WILL DETERMINE TINUBU’S LEGACY
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asserted that the 2027 general elections will serve as a referendum on President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
This was made known by Atiku’s media adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, during an interaction with Vanguard in Abuja on Monday night, in response to recent allegations leveled against Atiku by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC had accused Atiku of attempting to reposition the opposition for personal benefit and to regain access to state resources.
In a strong rebuttal, Ibe dismissed the accusations as baseless, insisting that Atiku’s political involvement is inspired by the collective desire of Nigerians for meaningful change and improved living conditions.
“It’s obvious they were never prepared to govern,” Ibe said. “Their sole focus is politics, not progress. Every move they make contradicts the principles of true democracy.”
He went on to criticize the Tinubu administration’s performance, pointing to the completion of just 30 kilometres out of a proposed 700-kilometre road in two years.
“They held a grand celebration for achieving just 4% of the project. It’s laughable and irresponsible. That celebration budget could’ve funded additional kilometres of that road,” he remarked.
Citing worsening economic conditions, Ibe described Nigeria as the “poverty capital of the world” and noted its alarming lead in child malnutrition across Africa.
“People are struggling to survive. This Eid, many can’t afford a ram. Some are pooling resources just to take part in the celebration,” he lamented.
He emphasized that Atiku’s motivation stems from Nigerians’ demand for a better future, not a desire to access public funds.
“His Excellency is driven by a vision for a better Nigeria, not selfish ambition. He’s never relied on state coffers—he built his own fortune and has personally funded his political efforts,” Ibe said.
He also defended Atiku’s business record, contrasting it with what he described as the questionable backgrounds of his critics.
“Atiku was a successful entrepreneur well before the return of democracy in 1999. He has created jobs and invested heavily in Nigeria. Unlike his detractors, he doesn’t need public funds to make a difference,” Ibe stated.
He called on the APC to shift focus to governance instead of targeting Atiku.
“They should spend their remaining time in office working to better the lives of Nigerians, rather than obsessing over Atiku Abubakar’s every move,” he advised.
Concluding his remarks, Ibe predicted that the 2027 election would be a defining moment.
“It won’t just be another election. It’ll be Tinubu versus the Nigerian people,” he declared.
