Opposition rift deepens as Atiku, Tinubu camps trade allegations
The political contest ahead of the 2027 general elections took a fresh turn on Tuesday as allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu exchanged accusations over Nigeria’s economy, alleged financial misconduct and the activities of opposition politicians.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as a loss of investor confidence, citing data from the Nigerian Exchange which showed that foreign investors withdrew more money from the Nigerian equities market than they invested between January and July 2026.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said foreign investors brought N513.36bn into the equities market during the period but withdrew N779.43bn, resulting in a net outflow of N266.07bn.
He argued that the figures reflected concerns about the country’s economic direction, pointing to inflation, reduced purchasing power, borrowing and the cost of doing business.
Atiku said the Federal Government needed to pursue policies that would restore investor confidence, reduce the cost of energy and transportation and give the private sector a greater role in driving economic growth.
While Atiku criticised the administration, former APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Ntufam Hilliard Eta, called for investigations into allegations previously linked to the ADC candidate.
Speaking at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, Eta urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other relevant agencies to examine petitions and records concerning Atiku, saying no politician should be above the law.
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He referred to issues examined in a 2010 United States Senate report, including financial transfers involving offshore entities and accounts associated with Atiku’s former wife, Jennifer Douglas. He also raised questions concerning transactions linked to Siemens AG and payments connected to the establishment of the American University of Nigeria.
Eta said his demand was not for Atiku to be convicted through public statements but for any evidence relating to the allegations to be examined through due process.
He said the same standard of scrutiny being demanded by Atiku over issues concerning President Tinubu should also apply to Atiku.
The political exchanges extended to Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, as the Oyo State APC chairman, Kayode Babayomi, called for investigations into the alleged use of state resources for political activities.
Babayomi urged the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate spending linked to political events, including the Peoples Democratic Party convention in Ibadan, the APM convention, Makinde’s presidential declaration and the establishment of his campaign headquarters in Abuja.
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The APC chairman alleged that the governor had prioritised his political ambition over the welfare of residents, although the claims were presented by him as allegations requiring investigation.
The dispute also involved Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), following his attendance at the launch of Makinde’s campaign office in Abuja.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, criticised Obi’s presence at the event, questioning why a presidential candidate would attend the campaign launch of another presidential candidate.
Obi had used the occasion to call for cooperation among opposition candidates, saying Nigerians should be allowed to choose their leaders through a free and credible process.
Meanwhile, efforts to finalise the ADC’s presidential campaign structure have reportedly faced disagreements over the proposed inclusion of the Saminu Turaki-led faction of the PDP.
Sources within the ADC said the faction was seeking prominent positions in the campaign structure, including the Deputy Director-General position and other directorate roles.
The disagreement has reportedly raised concerns within the party over possible internal conflicts and the financial cost of maintaining a presidential campaign structure for several months.
The development has also exposed divisions within the PDP, with the Bauchi State chapter backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike rejecting any alliance with the APM and dismissing the Turaki-led faction’s decision to move its structures to the party.
PDP state chairman Ibrahim Kashim Toro maintained that his faction remained the authentic PDP in Bauchi State and said those who joined the APM were no longer recognised as members of the party.
With opposition parties still discussing possible alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, the latest exchanges have highlighted disagreements over leadership, economic policy, accountability and the shape of any coalition seeking to challenge the ruling APC.
