Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Presidency over its recent reference to China’s legal system while defending President Bola Tinubu, saying the comparison has only intensified public scrutiny of the President’s past legal issues.
In a statement released on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused the Presidency of resorting to personal attacks instead of addressing the concerns he had raised.
The exchange followed reports that a group linked to Atiku submitted petitions to United States President Donald Trump and the US State Department regarding President Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case and other related issues. The Presidency dismissed the move, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga arguing that even under China’s legal system, the allegations against Tinubu would not have led to criminal prosecution.
Reacting, Atiku said the Presidency had made a mistake by invoking China, noting that the country is known for its strict anti-drug laws and tough approach to public accountability. He argued that the comparison had instead drawn renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding the civil forfeiture of $460,000 to the US government in a case involving allegations of links to narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
The former vice president maintained that he has never been indicted or convicted of corruption, drug-related offences or any criminal offence in Nigeria or abroad.
He also dismissed suggestions that a recent diplomatic response from the United States government to Nigeria’s inquiries amounted to a judicial clearance for President Tinubu, stressing that diplomatic correspondence should not be interpreted as a court ruling or proof of innocence.
Atiku further urged the Tinubu administration to focus on addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, insecurity and rising hardship rather than engaging in political exchanges with the opposition.
The latest remarks come after Onanuga accused Atiku of overseeing a flawed privatisation programme during his time as vice president, alleging that national assets were sold to associates at undervalued prices and claiming that, under China’s legal system, Atiku would have faced imprisonment. Atiku rejected the allegations, insisting the Presidency had failed to respond to the substantive issues he raised.
