The Presidency has slammed former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar over claims that he is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over financial transactions linked to the Lagos State Government.
On Thursday, Atiku, a former vice- president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 claimed that the EFCC was probing him in connection with financial activities involving the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Atiku’s claims as baseless and misleading.
The Presidency dismissed the allegations as a “desperate attempt” by Atiku to remain politically relevant through unfounded accusations and social media gossip.
“These claims, circulated through his media office, are false and reflect a troubling pattern of relying on social media gossip over substance,” the statement read.
Onanuga stated that President Bola Tinubu does not have the time nor the inclination to engage in petty political distractions.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains focused on addressing critical national challenges and advancing his administration’s agenda for Nigeria’s growth and stability.
“He has neither the time nor the inclination to engage in petty political distractions,” Onanuga stated.
Onanuga further accused the former Vice President of refusing to embrace the role of a statesman since his electoral defeat, instead choosing to stoke division with “unfounded accusations and unproductive rhetoric.”
He also reiterated the independence of the EFCC, warning that any suggestion of external influence on the anti-graft agency was not only false but damaging to its credibility.
“The EFCC, as an independent institution, operates within its statutory mandate without external influence.
“Any insinuation otherwise is a disservice to the agency’s professionalism and the rule of law,” the statement noted.
Onanuga urged Atiku to channel his energy toward constructive contributions that promote unity, economic development, and democratic stability, adding that such values are what Nigeria needs most at this time.
“Atiku’s allegations are infantile and a transparent ploy to deflect from his political setbacks. His repeated attempts to drag the Presidency and now the Lagos State Government into fabricated controversies reveal a desperate bid for attention amid his fading attempt to cobble a coalition.
Since his defeat in the 2023 presidential election, the former Vice President has failed to rise to the dignified role of an elder statesman. Rather than contributing constructively to the national discourse, he has chosen the path of divisive rhetoric and unfounded accusations,” it added.
