Atiku Replies Presidency Over China Drug-Offence Comment

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has replied the Presidency after it invoked China in its criticism of him, saying the comparison had opened President Bola Tinubu to fresh scrutiny.

Atiku, through his spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, said the Presidency’s China reference was a “monumental own goal” because serious drug trafficking offences can attract the death penalty under Chinese law.

The exchange followed a statement from the Presidency accusing Atiku of paying lobbyists to revive Tinubu’s old United States forfeiture case. Atiku’s camp said the comparison with China raised questions about public accountability instead of weakening him.

Shaibu said Atiku had never been indicted or convicted by any court in Nigeria or abroad for corruption, narcotics offences or any criminal offence. He also referred to the $460,000 civil forfeiture case in the United States, describing it as part of the accountability questions Nigerians were entitled to ask.

The statement also criticised the administration over the national budget, hardship and allegations around a fake government agency. The Presidency had not issued a fresh response in the reports checked by the two outlets.

Sources: Daily Trust, Daily Post