ON
← Back to feed
Atiku hits presidency over China comparison, US forfeiture claim
NG🏛️ PoliticsProgressiveOverlooked by conservatives8 days ago

Atiku hits presidency over China comparison, US forfeiture claim

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration for comparing China's legal system to justify its actions, arguing that this comparison highlighted past allegations against Tinubu. Atiku, running as the African Democratic Congress' presidential candidate, accused the administration of making a 'monumental own goal' by referencing China's severe drug trafficking penalties. The administration had previously responded to Atiku's claims about his lobbying group's petitions to U.S. authorities regarding a 1993 civil forfeiture case against Tinubu. In response, Atiku's spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, stated that the administration's rebuttal focused on personal attacks rather than addressing substantive issues. Shaibu emphasized that the administration's attempt to undermine Atiku inadvertently drew more public scrutiny on Tinubu, particularly regarding the $460,000 forfeiture case. Atiku reiterated that he has never been indicted or convicted of any criminal offense.

President Bola Tinubu has faced sharp criticism from former Vice President and presidential contender Atiku Abubakar, who accused the administration of prioritizing political posturing over addressing Nigeria's critical socio-economic and security crises. In a pointed rebuke, Atiku lambasted Tinubu for his recent remarks suggesting readiness to “wrestle his opponents to the finish,” calling the comments emblematic of a leader overwhelmed by administrative shortcomings. Atiku, speaking through his senior special assistant, Phrank Shaibu, described Tinubu as “a drowning man” whose attempts to deflect public discontent through aggressive rhetoric only underscored the administration’s failure to meet basic citizen needs. The critique came amid Tinubu’s response to a call by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for credible, transparent, and peaceful elections. Atiku argued that such an occasion demanded reassurance and statesmanship, not combative language. He emphasized that the president’s remarks revealed an aloofness that contradicted the humility expected of a leader engaging with one of the nation’s most revered institutions. Atiku urged Tinubu to redirect his focus toward alleviating the suffering of ordinary citizens, particularly those facing food shortages, unemployment, and insecurity. He highlighted the dire conditions in rural areas, where farming communities have effectively become “graveyards” and highways serve as “hunting grounds” for criminals. The former vice president stressed that the president should engage with these real-world struggles rather than with political adversaries. “He should wrestle with the millions of Nigerians who now skip meals because food has become a luxury,” Atiku said, underscoring the urgency of economic reform and social welfare programs. He further warned that governments with poor records often resort to political theatrics to mask their inadequacies. Atiku noted that Nigerians are increasingly demanding tangible outcomes from leaders, not just empty promises or threats. “Empty slogans cannot fill empty stomachs. Boastful declarations cannot lower food prices. Threats against political opponents cannot restore the value of the naira,” he remarked, highlighting the disconnect between rhetorical gestures and practical solutions. Atiku also framed Tinubu’s greatest challenge not as external opposition but as the cumulative impact of his administration’s policies. He pointed to the growing number of unpaid workers, struggling businesses, and unemployed graduates as direct consequences of mismanagement. “Every hungry family is a living testimony to the consequences of his administration’s choices,” he said, implying that Tinubu’s leadership has consistently fallen short of expectations. The criticism comes amidst broader tensions within Nigerian politics, including accusations that Tinubu’s administration is leveraging controversial comparisons to justify its actions. Earlier, Atiku had criticized the presidency for invoking China’s legal framework to defend Tinubu, arguing that the comparison inadvertently drew more attention to past allegations against the president. This included references to a 1993 civil forfeiture case linked to narcotics trafficking, which Atiku’s lobbying group had previously petitioned U.S. officials about. Additionally, Atiku has challenged former President Olusegun Obasanjo, alleging that the latter is covertly supporting his relative in the upcoming 2027 election. This accusation followed Obasanjo’s claim that Atiku had provided financial assistance to a former speaker of the House, who later died. Atiku dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, questioning the timing of Obasanjo’s revelations and suggesting they were meant to tarnish his reputation. He urged Obasanjo to publicly endorse a candidate to ensure transparency, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve clarity rather than recycled accusations. These developments reflect the complex interplay of personal rivalries, political strategy, and public accountability in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape. As the 2027 election approaches, the discourse around leadership, integrity, and governance continues to intensify, shaping both the political narrative and the aspirations of the electorate.

4 reports

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 758 days ago
Tinubu should tackle hunger, insecurity, not opponents – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu for focusing on political rivalry rather than addressing Nigeria's critical issues like hunger, insecurity, and economic instability. Atiku accused Tinubu of using combative rhetoric during a time when the nation needed calm leadership, especially after the Catholic Bishops' call for peaceful elections. He likened Tinubu to a 'drowning man' preoccupied with defeating opponents instead of confronting systemic failures. Atiku emphasized that the President should prioritize tackling inflation, unemployment, and crime, arguing that such challenges are more urgent than political conflicts. He warned that leaders with poor records often resort to theatrics to avoid accountability, stressing that Nigerians seek effective governance over empty promises.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames President Tinubu's actions as politically motivated distractions from real national crises, using strong criticism of his leadership style and priorities. It emphasizes the need for substantive governance over political posturing, aligning with progressive critiques of current执政者.

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports Atiku's criticism of Tinubu's focus on opponents rather than economic and security issues. It references the meeting between the bishops and Tinubu and quotes Atiku's statements. However, the article uses strong language like 'drowning man' and 'abysmal record,' which

Why objectivity (75): The article is clearly biased in favor of Atiku's perspective, using emotionally charged language and framing Tinubu negatively. While it presents facts, the tone is highly critical and lacks balance.

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 6513 days ago
Atiku hits presidency over China comparison, US forfeiture claim

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration for comparing China's legal system to justify its actions, arguing that this comparison highlighted past allegations against Tinubu. Atiku, running as the African Democratic Congress' presidential candidate, accused the administration of making a 'monumental own goal' by referencing China's severe drug trafficking penalties. The administration had previously responded to Atiku's claims about his lobbying group's petitions to U.S. authorities regarding a 1993 civil forfeiture case against Tinubu. In response, Atiku's spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, stated that the administration's rebuttal focused on personal attacks rather than addressing substantive issues. Shaibu emphasized that the administration's attempt to undermine Atiku inadvertently drew more public scrutiny on Tinubu, particularly regarding the $460,000 forfeiture case. Atiku reiterated that he has never been indicted or convicted of any criminal offense.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the criticism of the Tinubu administration as a legitimate challenge to its credibility, emphasizing transparency and accountability. It highlights the administration's perceived lack of factual basis in its defense and portrays the opposition's arguments as grounded in public记录.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports Atiku's criticism of the Presidency's use of China's legal system to defend President Tinubu. It references specific claims made by Atiku and the subsequent reactions from Shaibu. While some details are implied (e.g., the full quote from Shaibu is cut off), the core fa

Why objectivity (65): The tone of the article leans towards portraying the Presidency as defensive and politically motivated, while highlighting Atiku's critique. There is some editorializing in the phrasing, such as 'monumental own goal,' which suggests a biased perspective. The article frames the situation in a way tha

Premium Times Nigeria logoPremium Times NigeriaIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 6013 days ago
2027: Atiku challenges Obasanjo to be transparent, declare his support for Tinubu

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of secretly supporting his relative ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election. Atiku challenged Obasanjo to publicly declare his preferred candidate to ensure transparency, following Obasanjo's recent claim that Atiku had provided former House of Representatives Speaker Ghali Na'Abba with ₦5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against Obasanjo during their time in office. Atiku's statement, issued by his senior special assistant, suggested that these allegations were a deliberate attempt to harm his political standing and benefit Obasanjo's family. The accusation indirectly targets President Bola Tinubu, whom Atiku refers to as Obasanjo's 'kinsman,' given their shared regional background. The dispute highlights longstanding tensions between Obasanjo and Tinubu, including past conflicts over governance and electoral issues.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the controversy around Atiku's accusations against Obasanjo, emphasizing transparency and questioning the credibility of Obasanjo's claims. While the content is balanced in presenting both perspectives, the emphasis on Atiku's call for openness and the indirect criticism of Tinubu

Why factuality (80): The article provides a clear account of Atiku challenging Obasanjo over alleged financial support for his relative. It cites statements from Shaibu and outlines the historical context of the allegations. While the article doesn't provide independent verification of the claims, it accurately reflects

Why objectivity (60): The article appears to take a somewhat critical stance toward Obasanjo and his alleged actions, suggesting a potential bias. The language used implies that the allegations are being used for political purposes, which may reflect a partisan viewpoint rather than a neutral reporting of facts.

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 609 days ago
Wrestle with your failures, not opponents, Atiku blasts Tinubu over 2027 remark

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu for his inflammatory remarks about 'wrestling opponents,' accusing him of political posturing and failing to address Nigeria's critical economic and security issues. Atiku, through his spokesperson, likened Tinubu to a 'drowning man' evading responsibility for the administration's poor performance. He emphasized that the president should prioritize solving problems like inflation, food shortages, and unemployment rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric. Atiku argued that Tinubu's comments, made during a response to a call for peaceful elections, lacked the humility expected of a leader addressing religious leaders. He warned that such behavior risks public trust and undermines governance.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames President Tinubu's remarks as politically motivated and dismissive of genuine leadership responsibilities, using strong negative language ('drowning man', 'abysmal record') and emphasizing systemic failures. It highlights criticism from a prominent opposition figure, which aligns

Why factuality (75): The article reports Atiku's criticisms of Tinubu's leadership and his specific accusations of political grandstanding. While these claims are present in multiple sources, they are framed as direct quotes and attributed to a prominent figure, supporting the cross-source consensus on the nature of the

Why objectivity (60): The article uses emotionally charged language, such as 'drowning man' and 'abysmal record,' which reflects a clear ideological stance against Tinubu. This reduces objectivity as it frames the issue in a negative light.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories