Atiku, Presidency Clash Over Tinubu’s Alleged US Drug-Related Forfeiture Records
A fierce political debate has erupted in Nigeria, as Atiku Abubakar challenges President Bola Tinubu on allegations of past drug-related money forfeiture to the US government. The Presidency has retaliated by dismissing Atiku's claims and raising counter-allegations regarding his own past, including involvement in a bribery scandal and questionable financial dealings. Both sides accuse the other of prioritizing personal attacks over factual disclosure.
The political dispute between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Presidency has intensified over allegations surrounding President Bola Tinubu's alleged drug-related money forfeiture in the United States.
Atiku, through his spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, accused the Tinubu administration of avoiding legitimate questions by resorting to personal attacks rather than providing factual explanations. He maintained that inquiries about publicly available records linked to the President are matters of public accountability and should not be framed as attacks on Nigeria's sovereignty.
Atiku argued that electoral victory does not exempt public officials from scrutiny, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparency on allegations concerning the President's past dealings with U.S. authorities.
He criticised the Presidency for reviving old allegations against him instead of addressing the substantive issues raised, describing accountability as a democratic obligation. The former Vice President further questioned the government's stance on international scrutiny, noting that administrations cannot welcome foreign partnerships and investments while dismissing legitimate international records when politically inconvenient.
In response, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed Atiku's allegations, describing the 1993 civil forfeiture case involving President Tinubu as a matter that was settled decades ago without any criminal conviction or finding of guilt.
The Presidency accused Atiku of attempting to internationalise domestic politics by petitioning U.S. authorities and raised allegations concerning his past involvement in corruption-related investigations in the United States.
It maintained that President Tinubu's electoral mandate and Supreme Court rulings have settled the matter politically and legally, while reiterating that the administration remains focused on governance despite what it described as politically motivated attacks ahead of the 2027 elections.