Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the new reference to past allegations against him is a distraction from the economic challenges Nigerians currently face.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the return to Obasanjo-era issues reflects a lack of responses to pressing concerns such as rising cost of living, food prices, transportation, electricity, education, healthcare and insecurity.
“When those defending the government can no longer explain the difficulties faced by ordinary families, they resort to old political arguments. This does not address the concerns of Nigerians today,” the statement said.
Atiku noted that the matters referred to were previously examined by the relevant institutions during his tenure.
“These issues went through the EFCC, an administrative panel, the National Assembly and the courts. No court convicted me on these allegations. That is the record,” he said.
He added that anyone with credible evidence should present it through legal channels.
“Anyone who has credible evidence should present it and prove it before the law. I have made this point before and I repeat it today,” he said.
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On calls for openness, Atiku said public officials should be open to scrutiny and institutions should be allowed to operate without interference.
“The EFCC belongs to Nigeria. It should investigate genuine irregularities wherever it finds them. State institutions should not be used for political purposes,” he said.
He urged that public discourse focus on governance and the well-being of citizens.
“You cannot address hunger with old accusations. You cannot restore purchasing power or make life more affordable by revisiting past political disputes. Nigerians deserve answers on the economy and policies that affect their daily lives,” he said.
Atiku said the 2027 elections would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to evaluate leaders based on their background and plans for the future.
“In 2027, Nigerians will judge us by our background, the lives they live and the future we offer them. We remain focused on collaborating with the Nigerian people,” the statement added.
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