The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for alleging that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating him over financial dealings linked to the Lagos State Government.
On Thursday, Atiku claimed the EFCC was probing him concerning financial activities involving Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In a statement on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Atiku’s claims as baseless and misleading.
The Presidency described the allegations as a “desperate attempt” by Atiku to stay politically relevant through unfounded accusations and social media rumours.
“These claims, circulated through his media office, are false and reflect a troubling pattern of relying on social media gossip over substance,” the statement read.
Onanuga stressed that President Bola Tinubu is focused on addressing national challenges and has no interest in political distractions.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains focused on addressing critical national challenges and advancing his administration’s agenda for Nigeria’s growth and stability.
“He has neither the time nor the inclination to engage in petty political distractions,” Onanuga stated.
He further accused Atiku of failing to adopt the role of a statesman since his electoral defeat, instead choosing to create divisions through “unfounded accusations and unproductive rhetoric.”
Onanuga reaffirmed the EFCC’s independence, stating that any suggestion of external influence on the anti-graft agency is false and damages its credibility.
“The EFCC, as an independent institution, operates within its statutory mandate without external influence.
“Any insinuation otherwise is a disservice to the agency’s professionalism and the rule of law,” the statement noted.
He urged Atiku to focus on constructive contributions that promote unity, economic growth, and democracy, stating that these are the values Nigeria needs most.
“Atiku’s allegations are infantile and a transparent ploy to deflect from his political setbacks. His repeated attempts to drag the Presidency and now the Lagos State Government into fabricated controversies reveal a desperate bid for attention amid his fading attempt to cobble a coalition.
Since his defeat in the 2023 presidential election, the former Vice President has failed to rise to the dignified role of an elder statesman. Rather than contributing constructively to the national discourse, he has chosen the path of divisive rhetoric and unfounded accusations,” it added.
