The Presidency has berated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over a claim that he is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly receiving money from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the 2023 general election.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, had denied receiving campaign funds from Sanwo-Olu for the poll.
A report had earlier alleged that Atiku and the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, received campaign funds from Sanwo-Olu through a proxy.
Reacting via a statement issued on Thursday, March 27, 2025, Atiku’s media office described the report as false, saying the former vice president has never met with Sanwo-Olu.
The media office added that the EFCC has since been investigating the matter.
However, the presidency, in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Atiku’s claims as false.
Onanuga said: “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to the unfounded allegations made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who claims to be the subject of an EFCC investigation regarding unsubstantiated financial dealings involving Lagos State.
“These claims, circulated through his media office, are false and reflect a troubling pattern of relying on social media gossip over substance. It is disheartening that a politician of Atiku’s stature would lend credibility to baseless social media speculation to remain politically relevant.
EFCC: Atiku, Sanwo-Olu’ve no links with Achimugu’s probe for money laundering
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains focused on addressing critical national challenges and advancing his administration’s agenda for Nigeria’s growth and stability. The President has neither the time nor the inclination to engage in petty political distractions.
“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.
“We urge Atiku Abubakar to redirect his energy toward initiatives that foster unity, economic progress, and democratic stability – qualities Nigeria urgently needs.
“The former Vice President should know that 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 presidential spokesman added that the presidency remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of national development, saying these are “priorities that demand our undivided attention”.
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