A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress has launched a scathing on Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambitions, declaring that the former vice president cannot be trusted with Nigeria’s national treasury. Joe Igbokwe, a vocal member of the ruling party, invoked the authority of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to bolster his claim, arguing that the elder statesman had already warned Nigerians about Atiku’s character.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday, Igbokwe was unequivocal in his assessment. He addressed Atiku directly, stating that the warnings from Obasanjo, whom he described as Atiku’s principal, had been delivered in no uncertain terms. The APC chieftain’s intervention comes at a time when political tensions are rising and potential candidates are positioning themselves for future electoral contests.
The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku has been fractious for years, marked by public accusations and bitter recriminations that have played out in the national spotlight. Obasanjo has previously accused his former deputy of orchestrating impeachment attempts against him during their time in office together between 1999 and 2007. These allegations have formed a central part of the former president’s criticism of Atiku, whom he served alongside for eight years before their relationship deteriorated dramatically.
Atiku has strongly refuted these claims, particularly pushing back against allegations that he bribed the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to facilitate impeachment proceedings. In his response, the former vice president described Obasanjo’s accusations as both reckless and fundamentally unfair, especially given that they implicated a deceased public figure who could no longer defend himself or provide his own account of events. Such exces have become characteristic of Nigerian political discourse, where personal relationships often intertwine with policy disagreements.
Political observers note that Igbokwe’s comments reflect a broader strategy by the APC to undermine potential opposition candidates before the formal campaign season begins. By resurrecting old controversies and leveraging Obasanjo’s criticisms, the ruling party appears to be attempting to shape public perception of Atiku’s credibility and fitness for office. Whether this approach will prove effective remains uncertain, particularly given that Nigerian voters have demonstrated an ability to look beyond political elite squabbles when making their choices at the ballot box.
Looking ahead, these early salvos suggest that the next presidential campaign will be marked by intense personal s and the revival of longstanding political feuds. As candidates begin to emerge and position themselves, the electorate will likely be subjected to competing narratives about trustworthiness, corruption, and past performance in office. How voters weigh these character based arguments against substantive policy proposals and economic concerns will ultimately determine whether s like Igbokwe’s gain traction or fall flat in the court of public opinion.
Leave a comment