By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accuses President Bola Tinubu of panicking over the threat of opposition coalition
A statement by Atiku Media Office responding to recent comments made by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Tinubu, accused him of hypocrisy and the presidency of mounting panic over Atiku’s emerging political coalition.
The statement described Bwala’s remarks—made during an interview on TVC—as “disparaging” and “sanctimonious,” arguing that they reflect a broader sense of unease within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over Atiku’s growing influence.
Bwala, who previously served as a spokesperson for Atiku’s 2023 presidential campaign, came under fire for suggesting it was time for Atiku to retire from politics. The Atiku camp responded sharply, labeling Bwala a “political turncoat” whose relevance is owed solely to the platform he once enjoyed under Atiku’s leadership.
“If, as they claim, Atiku is a spent force, why the relentless smear campaign?” the statement questioned. “The truth is clear: Atiku Abubakar remains the single most formidable opposition figure in Nigeria.”
The statement accused the Tinubu administration of being unnerved by a “broad-based national coalition” led by Atiku and other progressive leaders aimed at reversing what it termed “economic collapse, institutional failure, and democratic erosion.”
Reiterating Atiku’s long-standing role in Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, the release stated that his legacy is built not on official titles, but on “courage, consistency, and conviction.” It also warned that attempts to rewrite history or undermine Atiku’s standing would fail.
The media office concluded by asserting that Atiku remains “focused and unshaken” in his commitment to Nigeria’s future and will not be distracted by what it called “political jesters masquerading as patriots.”
The sharp exchange adds fuel to growing political tensions as opposition figures work to consolidate alliances ahead of the next electoral cycle.