Atiku Has no Moral Ground to Cry ‘Thieves’, Says TMSG

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent description of the 2027 political contest as a competition with “thieves”, saying he lacked the moral ground to make such an accusation.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remark in a video shared on his social media platform.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG described Atiku’s comment as “utterly laughable”, arguing that the former vice president appeared to have forgotten the controversies surrounding his eight years in government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The group said Atiku’s political record could not be separated from the allegations and criticisms that followed his time as vice president.

“It is indeed utterly laughable that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar could unabashedly call anyone in government names after what Nigerians know about his time in office,” TMSG said.

The group also suggested that Atiku’s renewed attacks on President Bola Tinubu were linked to his long-standing ambition to become president, noting that the 2027 election would be his sixth presidential attempt.

TMSG recalled that Atiku had similarly attacked the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari before the 2019 election but failed to defeat him, adding that it expected a similar outcome in 2027.

It argued that Atiku’s description of the Tinubu administration was better applied to the controversies that had surrounded his own political career.

The group cited former President Obasanjo’s assessment of Atiku in his memoir, *My Watch*, where he accused his former deputy of corruption, disloyalty, poor judgment and a willingness to place personal interests ahead of national interest.

TMSG noted that Atiku did not institute a defamation action against Obasanjo over the allegations, but instead maintained that he had never been convicted of corruption.

The group also referred to a 2010 United States congressional report on foreign corruption, which it said examined financial transactions involving Atiku and his then-wife, Jennifer Douglas Abubakar.

According to TMSG, the report raised questions over more than $40 million in “suspect or offshore funds” allegedly channelled into the United States through accounts linked to Douglas Abubakar between 2000 and 2008.

It further cited allegations raised by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in 2008 concerning payments allegedly made by Siemens to Douglas Abubakar in connection with government contracts.

The allegations were disputed, with Douglas Abubakar denying wrongdoing.

TMSG also brought up a report by a Nigerian Senate committee which it said accused Atiku of diverting $145 million belonging to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and recommended sanctions and prosecution.

Atiku has consistently denied allegations of corruption against him and has not been convicted of corruption.

The group further criticised the privatisation exercise carried out during Atiku’s tenure as chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, alleging that some public assets were sold at prices it considered too low.

It argued that the controversies surrounding Atiku’s past made his latest corruption-related attacks on the government difficult to accept.

“We are convinced that the former Vice President has so much baggage bordering on corruption allegations to be sauntering around, accusing others of things he is liable for,” the group said.

TMSG maintained that Atiku’s criticisms would not determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that voters would ultimately decide the direction of the country.

The group urged Nigerians to consider the records and credibility of political actors as the country moves towards the next general election.