Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President has lambasted President Bola Tinubu over his recent comments on re-election amid the growing security crisis in the nation.
Atiku’s outburst comes after Tinubu reiterated his stance on seeking re-election against all odds on Wednesday.
While addressing delegates from Plateau State led by governor Caleb Muftwang, he accused unamed individuals of plotting to use the country’s insecurity to remove him from office.
“You are playing into the hands of agents, including my own enemies, who want to use insecurity to get rid of me.
“I’m a very stubborn politician. I just refuse to go. And I will campaign for my second term,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
But Atiku in a statement issued through his senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, referred to Tinubu’s words as troubling.
He said Tinubu administration would be judged by the blood of innocent Nigerians being shed daily.
“It is not political opponents who will judge this administration; it is the blood of innocent Nigerians being shed daily across our land. That blood cries out louder than any declaration of political resolve.
“It is horrifying that the memories of innocent citizens slain due to the failure of the government to provide adequate security would be so casually reduced to political rhetoric.
“It is disturbing that such a heinous incident has yet to attract the empathy or acknowledgement it deserves from the highest levels of government, while the loss of lives is instead framed as a political game.
“No amount of deflection or intimidation can rewrite the lived reality of Nigerians. Ultimately, the people will decide, and they will do so based on the evidence before them.
“When lives are lost, and communities are destroyed, governance itself is put on trial. No amount of rhetoric can silence the verdict that comes from the suffering of the people.
“At a time like this, Nigerians do not need bravado; they need protection. They do not need declarations of staying power; they need proof of leadership,” Atiku said.
