The Presidency has categorically rejected recent claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who alleged that he is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over financial dealings linked to the Lagos State government.
In a statement issued on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, described the accusations as “baseless” and “misleading,” labeling them as a “desperate attempt” by Atiku to maintain political relevance through unfounded allegations and social media speculation.
“These claims, circulated via his media office, are entirely false and part of a concerning pattern of relying on social media rumors instead of credible sources,” the statement read.
Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election, had reportedly claimed that the EFCC was probing him over financial activities linked to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
However, the Presidency labeled these accusations as “infantile” and a “transparent ploy” aimed at deflecting attention from his political failures.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains focused on addressing Nigeria’s critical challenges and advancing his administration’s agenda for national growth and stability. He has neither the time nor the inclination to engage in petty political distractions,” Onanuga emphasized.
The statement further criticized Atiku for failing to adopt a statesmanlike role following his electoral defeat, accusing him of stoking division with “unfounded accusations and unproductive rhetoric.”
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The Presidency also reiterated the EFCC’s independence, rejecting any suggestion of external interference in the agency’s operations.
Onanuga stressed that such insinuations were not only false but also damaging to the EFCC’s reputation and its commitment to upholding the rule of law.
“The EFCC, as an independent institution, operates within its statutory mandate, free from external influence. Any claims to the contrary undermine the agency’s professionalism,” the statement concluded.
Onanuga urged Atiku to redirect his efforts towards making constructive contributions that would foster unity, economic growth, and democratic stability—values that are crucial to Nigeria’s progress at this time.
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