Former Nigerian Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed allegations linking him to financial dealings involving Lagos State funds, describing them as false and politically motivated.
The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, in a statement issued on Thursday, through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, rejected claims that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu provided funds to Atiku during the 2023 presidential election.
The statement, titled “Halt This Tinubu’s Voyage of Misadventure and Campaign of Calumny Against Atiku Abubakar”, condemned the allegations as “blatant lies” and “a contrived political propaganda” aimed at tarnishing Atiku’s reputation.
“The Waziri of Adamawa does not know Governor Sanwo-Olu and has never met him before. The idea that Atiku, who has no connection with Sanwo-Olu, would be involved in a financial transaction with him during the 2023 election is baseless and illogical,” the statement read.
Atiku’s camp accused political opponents of fabricating the reports to undermine both Governor Sanwo-Olu and opposition leaders, including Atiku himself.
The statement also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to disclose its findings, insisting that the agency’s involvement was being used as a political weapon.
“Since the EFCC has been drawn into this controversy, we challenge the agency to disclose the outcome of its alleged investigation. The Nigerian public, including Atiku and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, deserve transparency,” the statement added.
Atiku’s media team warned President Bola Tinubu’s camp to halt what it described as a smear campaign, insisting that such tactics would not deter the opposition’s political agenda.
