Atiku Critiques Tinubu's China Comparison Amid Scrutiny

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the Nigerian Presidency for invoking China's legal system in defense of President Bola Tinubu, claiming this comparison has led to increased scrutiny of Tinubu's past allegations. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, stated that the Presidency's reference to China, where serious drug trafficking offenses can result in the death penalty, was a "monumental own goal." He argued that this attempt to politically undermine him backfired, inviting public examination of Tinubu's history, particularly regarding a 1993 civil forfeiture case linked to narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Atiku asserted that he has never been indicted or convicted of any criminal offenses, emphasizing that the facts are clear and undisputed. He called for accountability, suggesting that if the Tinubu administration uses China as a benchmark, Nigerians should question how Chinese authorities would handle cases involving significant forfeited funds.