Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Presidency over its recent comparison with China’s legal system, saying the argument has instead drawn greater public attention to President Bola Tinubu’s past legal issues in the United States.
In a statement issued on Saturday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the Presidency’s response as a “monumental own goal,” accusing government officials of resorting to personal attacks rather than addressing the issues he raised.
The statement followed an earlier reaction by the Presidency to reports that a lobbying group linked to Atiku submitted petitions to US President Donald Trump and the US State Department concerning Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case and other matters.
According to Atiku, invoking China’s legal system was counterproductive because of the country’s strict anti-drug and anti-corruption laws.
He maintained that he has never been indicted or convicted of corruption, narcotics offences or any criminal offence in Nigeria or abroad.
The former vice president also argued that diplomatic correspondence between governments should not be interpreted as a judicial declaration clearing President Tinubu of any past controversies.
He urged the Tinubu administration to concentrate on addressing economic hardship, insecurity and governance challenges instead of engaging in political exchanges.
The latest remarks came after presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga criticised Atiku on his verified X account, accusing the former vice president of overseeing a flawed privatisation programme and suggesting that he would have faced imprisonment under China’s legal system.
The Presidency has maintained that recent communication from US authorities shows there are no outstanding criminal proceedings against President Tinubu, while Atiku insists that diplomatic correspondence is not equivalent to a court ruling.
The exchange marks another escalation in the political dispute between the Presidency and the opposition as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.
