Senator Ibrahim: Tinubu Dismisses Atiku’s Attacks
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South, has stated that President Bola Tinubu remains unperturbed by recent criticisms from political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi. In a recent interview, Ibrahim emphasized that these critiques do not affect the legitimacy of Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku Abubakar has accused the presidency of offering ₦50 million bribes to opposition parties to weaken their structures ahead of the 2027 elections. El-Rufai criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a “zero-man show” and urging opposition parties to unite against it. Rotimi Amaechi called on Nigerians to be prepared to defend their mandate in the forthcoming 2027 election, warning that politicians, including the current president, will not cede power easily.
In response to these allegations, Ibrahim stated that such claims require empirical evidence and should not be based on narratives. He further noted that the opposition will express their views, but this does not undermine the legitimacy of the current government. Regarding El-Rufai’s comments, Ibrahim pointed out that El-Rufai had appeared before the National Assembly for a ministerial appointment but later claimed he never applied for the position, suggesting inconsistencies in his statements.
The presidency has also addressed these criticisms, with Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, describing the attacks as predictable attempts to stir controversy. He urged Nigerians to scrutinize the antecedents of these political figures and choose between “political hecklers and real progressives.”