Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied any financial dealings with the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing the allegations as a campaign of calumny instigated by President Bola Tinubu’s camp.
A statement by the Atiku Media Office and signed by Paul Ibe, said media reports of the financial dealings between Atiku and Gov. Sanwo-Olu, were facilitated through Ms. Aisha Achimugu, are false and lack merit.
Atiku said the allegation is a contrived political hogwash, and a futile campaign of calumny aimed at advancing the political interests of President Tinubu.
The former vice president denied knowing Gov. Sanwo-Olu, affirming that he has never met the Lagos State governor.
“This piece of kindergarten propaganda is beneath the camp of Tinubu. How is it possible for an Atiku that does not know and had no connection with Sanwo-Olu to be having a transaction with him involving the exchange of money – let alone during the presidential election of 2023 in which his boss was a contestant? To what end would that be?
“We wish to therefore, state emphatically and for the record, that it is a political hatchet job aimed at providing a much-needed justification to jettison Gov. Sanwo-Olu, who appears to have fallen out of favour with the Bourdillon cult.
“Indeed, their strategy is two-fold; get rid of Sanwo-Olu and to discredit the coalition being put together by the opposition political leaders, of which Atiku Abubakar is a key stakeholder.
Read also: Atiku condemns declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State, accuses Tinubu of political manipulationn
Atiku mourns former minister Dubem Onyia
Adamawa Governor strips Atiku, others of Traditional Titles in major restructuring move
“To even underscore how poor the propaganda is, an unnamed Sanwo-Olu’s aide is quoted in the news story trashing his principal and adding fuel to the fire. Pray, who does that?
“Since the EFCC has been dragged into the arena of politics and propaganda, we challenge the anti-corruption agency to make public the outcome of its alleged investigation.
“It is not just the president that is entitled to that information, but the generality of the Nigerian public, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s presidential flagbearer in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
“This voyage of misadventure and campaign of calumny against the person and reputation of Atiku Abubakar must be halted immediately and with alacrity, too,” the statement said.
