Atiku Urged to Focus on Elections Amid Sports Funding Debate

A group, represented by Yohanna Pam, has advised Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, to focus on the 2027 general elections instead of politicizing the budgetary issues surrounding sports funding. This statement was made in Abuja on Tuesday, where the group expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, commending its renewed commitment to sports development.

They highlighted that the 2025 budget provisions for sports, which include funding for the Nigeria Sports Commission, have not been released despite the qualification for the World Cup. The group criticized Atiku for his earlier call to probe the N6.44 billion allocated for the Super Eagles' World Cup qualification campaign, suggesting that he should prioritize the upcoming elections rather than distract from the budgetary process.

They emphasized that the Nigerian people deserve a focus on the electoral process rather than sensational claims regarding budget mismanagement.