Tinubu waging war on opposition, not corruption, Atiku alleges

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of weaponizing state institutions to target political opponents rather than addressing corruption in his administration.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, made the claim in a statement shared on social media on Friday, citing the recent arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf, a prominent social critic, as evidence of a politically motivated clampdown on dissent.

“Two days ago, the nation was jolted by the arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf, a fierce and unyielding social critic,” Atiku wrote, suggesting that the charges against Yusuf, though originating from the previous administration, were being used selectively to suppress opposition voices.

The former vice president criticized the Tinubu administration for what he described as a double standard in its approach to fighting corruption. According to Atiku, while the government shields individuals within its fold who are under investigation for corruption, it exploits pending cases to intimidate and silence critics.

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“It is absurd that while the administration shelters those under investigation, it continues to exploit state institutions to stifle dissent, all under the false pretence of combating corruption,” he stated.

Atiku further alleged that President Tinubu’s actions are aimed at consolidating political power rather than addressing the nation’s pressing issues, accusing him of manipulating the justice system to his advantage.

“Even to the most inattentive, it has become glaringly clear that Tinubu is not waging a war on corruption — he is waging a war on the opposition, manipulating the system for his own political advantage,” Atiku asserted.

The arrest of Professor Yusuf has sparked widespread reactions from his sympathizers, with many questioning the timing and motive behind the detention.

Yusuf, known for his outspoken criticism of the Tinubu administration, has become a prominent voice in Nigeria’s political discourse.

The presidency has previously dismissed similar claims by Atiku as baseless and politically motivated.

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