Presidency dismisses Atiku’s allegations as baseless distraction

By Kunle Sanni

The Presidency has dismissed recent allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing them as baseless and an attempt to divert attention from national issues.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, refuted Atiku’s claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over financial dealings related to Lagos State.

The Presidency criticized Atiku for spreading unverified social media rumors, stating that it is disappointing for a politician of his stature to rely on speculation rather than facts.

“It is disheartening that a politician of Atiku’s stature would lend credibility to baseless social media speculation to remain politically relevant,” the statement read.

The Presidency reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to governance, emphasizing that he remains focused on addressing critical national challenges rather than engaging in political distractions.

Describing Atiku’s claims as a “transparent ploy to deflect from his political setbacks,” the statement accused him of attempting to drag the Presidency and the Lagos State Government into fabricated controversies.

“Since his defeat in the 2023 presidential election, the former Vice President has failed to adopt the role of an elder statesman,” the statement alleged, accusing him of divisive rhetoric instead of constructive engagement.

The Presidency urged Atiku to focus on promoting national unity and economic progress rather than making unfounded accusations. It also reaffirmed that the EFCC operates independently, free from external influence, and that any claims to the contrary undermine the agency’s professionalism.