‘Your reliance on social media gossip disheartening’ – Presidency blasts Atiku over EFCC, Sanwo-Olu

Nigeria's presidency has dismissed claims made by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party during the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, that he is being investigated over financial dealings with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

A presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement on Friday.

This comes after Atiku, Nigeria's former vice president, alleged that he is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with Governor Sanwo-Olu.

Earlier, the anti-graft commission declared wanted Sanwolu's ally, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, over money laundering.

While it remained unclear how the development connected to Atiku, there are speculations that Achimugu was used by Lagos Governor to allegedly fund Atiku and the campaign of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in 2023.

Reacting, the presidency said Atiku's claim was unfounded, berating Atiku for reliance on social media gossips.

“These claims, circulated through his media office, are false and reflect a troubling pattern of relying on social media gossip over substance.

“It is disheartening that a politician of Atiku's stature would lend credibility to baseless social media speculation to remain politically relevant,” he said.

According to the statement from the presidency, Tinubu remained focused on addressing the country’s challenges.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains focused on addressing critical national challenges and advancing his administration's agenda for Nigeria's growth and stability.

“The President has neither the time nor the inclination to engage in petty political distractions,” he added.

Tinubu's media team stressed that “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.

“We urge Atiku Abubakar to redirect his energy towards initiatives that foster unity, economic progress, and democratic stability—qualities Nigeria urgently needs.”