Presidency To Atiku: Clarify Your Legal Status In US

Nigeria's Presidency has formally responded to actions taken by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the United States, expressing bafflement and disappointment. The Presidency stated that Abubakar, who has long sought the presidency, is now resorting to reporting President Bola Tinubu to U.S. President Donald Trump and the State Department.

“

In his latest act, Atiku Abubakar’s lobbying group in the US has submitted petitions to President Trump and the US State Department regarding a civil forfeiture case from 1993, a matter long settled, with no criminal conviction or finding of guilt.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga highlighted Abubakar's lobbying group's submission of petitions to President Trump and the U.S. State Department concerning a 1993 civil forfeiture case. The Presidency characterized this as "a matter long settled, with no criminal conviction or finding of guilt."

“

If Atiku Abubakar can spend $1.2 million on American lobbyists to report President Tinubu, perhaps he should also clarify his own legal standing in the United States.

The Presidency questioned Abubakar's own legal standing in the United States, referencing accusations of improper dealings with U.S. officials in the past. It pointed to Abubakar's alleged involvement in the William Jefferson bribery scandal and a 2010 U.S. Senate investigation report. This report documented how Abubakar allegedly used offshore companies to bring suspect funds, including bribes from multinationals, into the United States.

“

Atiku’s obsession with the presidency is driven not just by his marabout-fuelled ambition, but by a desire for diplomatic immunity and to evade potential legal issues abroad.

Furthermore, the Presidency asserted that Abubakar's "obsession with the presidency is driven not just by his marabout-fuelled ambition, but by a desire for diplomatic immunity and to evade potential legal issues abroad." The statement concluded by emphasizing that President Tinubu remains focused and will not be distracted by "failed politicians' reckless public statements and desperate political manoeuvres."

“

Recycling discredited allegations and documents from the 2023 campaign will not improve his chances in 2027.