TINUBU WAGING WAR AGAINST OPPOSITION, NOT CORRUPTION, ATIKU ALLEGES

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of using state institutions as tools to target political opponents instead of tackling corruption within his administration.

Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the allegation in a statement posted on social media on Friday.

He pointed to the recent arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf, a prominent social critic, as an example of a politically driven crackdown 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.

“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.

Furthermore, Atiku 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.

Meanwhile, the presidency has previously dismissed similar claims by Atiku as baseless and politically motivated.