Atiku refutes Shettima’s claims he benefited from Tinubu’s goodwill

By Innocent Raphael 

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar’s Office has refuted recent claims made by Vice President Kashim Shettima, alleging that the former VP had benefited from President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill during his “persecution” within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). 

In a statement made public on Sunday by the Office of the PDP chieftain, Atiku noted that contrary to Shettima’s assertion, it was Tinubu, who gained significantly from his support, citing his pro-democracy stance and commitment to the rule of law.

The press release argued that, without Atiku’s backing, Tinubu’s tenure as the Governor of Lagos could have faced significant challenges, potentially jeopardizing his political career.

The statement further addressed historical inaccuracies regarding the origins of the Action Congress (AC), the political platform under which Abubakar ran in 2007.

It also clarified that AC was a coalition formed by members of the Advance Congress of Democrats (ACD), predominantly consisting of Abubakar’s associates and a faction of Tinubu’s Alliance for Democracy (AD). 

Atiku’s Office noted that his nomination as the party’s presidential candidate was supported by delegates from across Nigeria, including notable figures such as Lawal Keita, Amb. Yahaya Kwande, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, and Chief Tom Ikimi, among others. 

The statement highlighted that Tinubu was not in a position to unilaterally offer the platform to Atiku, as the latter’s candidacy was backed by a broad coalition.

Urging Shettima to refrain from making inaccurate comments about the early politics of Nigeria’s 4th Republic, Atiku emphasized the importance of historical accuracy in political discourse.