The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of fueling the disintegration of the PDP through what it described as his political desperation and baseless allegations.
In a statement issued by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party criticized Atiku for his comments during the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held in Abuja on January 27, 2025. At the event, Atiku warned of judicial interference in Nigeria’s democracy and accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of paying 50 million Naira to opposition leaders to destabilize their parties.
The APC dismissed Atiku’s claims as “bogus and laughable,” stating that the former Vice President’s political history and alleged mismanagement during his tenure as Vice President contributed significantly to the decline of the PDP. The party also recalled alleged electoral misconduct under Atiku’s tenure, including the controversial elections of 2003 and 2007, and accused him of hypocrisy for criticizing the judiciary despite being one of Nigeria’s most prolific electoral litigators.
“It is ironic that Atiku, who has consistently relied on the judiciary to push his political ambitions, now alleges that judicial involvement threatens democracy,” the statement read. The APC maintained that judicial intervention is a constitutional mechanism for resolving disputes and ensuring democratic fairness.
The APC also labeled Atiku’s allegations against President Tinubu as an attempt to distract Nigerians from the internal issues plaguing the PDP. The party urged Atiku and other opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to focus on resolving their internal crises rather than pointing fingers at the ruling party.
“Nigerians deserve better than the alarmist rhetoric and unfounded claims of politicians desperate to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement concluded.
