2027: GROUP CRITICISES ATIKU OVER ATTACK ON TINUBU’S THREE-WEEK EUROPE VACATION

Read Time:2 Minute, 15 Second

By:Tajudeen Aminat

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement 2027 has criticised former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his comments on President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing three-week vacation in Europe.

The group described Atiku’s criticism as an attempt to turn the President’s routine annual leave into a political issue, insisting that Tinubu’s absence from the country did not amount to a leadership vacuum.

The media reports that Atiku had on Sunday criticised Tinubu for embarking on a three-week vacation amid economic hardship and insecurity across the country.

Although the former Vice President acknowledged that Nigeria was not facing a constitutional vacuum, he argued that the country was experiencing what he described as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”

Atiku made the remarks in a post on his verified X account, questioning the timing of the President’s vacation in view of the challenges confronting Nigerians.

Tinubu departed Abuja on Sunday for his three-week annual leave, with London, United Kingdom, as his first destination.

The President’s departure was announced by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the vacation to join the “hectic campaign” ahead of the 2027 general election.

Reacting to Atiku’s comments, the movement, in a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Sunday Asuku, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday, urged the former Vice President to focus on presenting his political agenda to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group described Atiku as a “serial presidential contestant without direction” and challenged him to explain what he intended to do differently if elected, following his repeated attempts to become president since 1993.

It said presidents and other world leaders routinely embark on vacations, stressing that such trips do not mean that governance has been abandoned.

The movement also accused Atiku of inconsistency over fuel subsidy policy, recalling that he campaigned during the 2023 presidential election on a promise to remove the subsidy but had recently advocated its restoration.

According to the group, the change in position could amount to an attempt to exploit the hardship faced by Nigerians for political gain.

The movement further urged Atiku to focus on his campaign and explain his plans for addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, insecurity, unemployment and other national issues.

It noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission had commenced preparations for the 2027 elections and advised the former Vice President to engage directly with voters instead of focusing on Tinubu’s vacation.

The group also called on Nigerians to assess the President based on his policies and performance rather than political rhetoric.