Tensions flared on Tuesday as the Nigerian Presidency responded to calls from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation in the wake of escalating kidnappings and killings across the country.
In a strongly worded statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Atiku’s remarks as “reckless” and “undermining national unity.” He asserted that President Tinubu “remains resolutely on top of the security situation in Nigeria,” detailing the administration’s ongoing efforts to combat criminal activity.
The Presidency said Atiku’s statement accusing Tinubu of “fiddling amidst some security and economic challenges is to say the least, reckless” and “fell short of what is expected from an elder statesman”.
“We like to believe that Alhaji Atiku is still not nursing hangover of his electoral defeat and now latches on any issue to attack President Tinubu.
“President Tinubu did not travel without informing Nigerians of his whereabout. He announced a private visit to France and announced a return date.
“While in France, President Tinubu has been following developments at home and he is on top of the situation in the country. Today’s inauguration of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum wage bore his imprimatur .
“He is in constant touch with his officials and security chiefs and has directed them to stamp out every form of criminality in the country,” the statement read.
“If Alhaji Atiku is really concerned about security issues and not playing cheap politics, he should have known that President Tinubu is on top of issues and working hard to restore peace to every part of our country.”
