Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed recent criticisms from presidential aide Daniel Bwala, describing him as a political opportunist whose loyalty shifts with personal ambition.
Atiku’s rebuttal came via a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, in response to Bwala’s remarks on Monday during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout. Bwala, now Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, took swipes at Atiku, saying he should “accept the will of God and stop running against destiny,” while dismissing the relevance of any opposition coalition.
In a strongly worded response, Atiku said he neither seeks nor requires validation from individuals like Bwala, who he accused of abandoning principle in pursuit of political relevance.
“It is ironic and unfortunate that Mr. Bwala, who once served as a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, now assumes the authority to lecture a statesman of global repute on issues of legacy and destiny,” the statement read. “His sanctimonious pontificating, laced with bitterness and duplicity, betrays a desperate effort to curry favour with a floundering administration clearly rattled by the unstoppable momentum of the national coalition being forged by Atiku and other progressive leaders.”
Atiku noted that Bwala's relevance today is rooted in the platform he once occupied under Atiku’s leadership, a fact he said should inspire humility, not arrogance.
“The Tinubu camp’s obsession with Atiku’s political trajectory is no coincidence,” the statement continued. “If Atiku is indeed a spent force as they claim, why the persistent attacks? Why dedicate presidential platforms to smear him? The answer is simple: Atiku remains the most formidable opposition figure in the country, and the coalition he is building poses a direct threat to the crumbling foundation of the ruling party.”
Describing the opposition alliance as broad-based and driven by the goal of rescuing Nigeria from economic decline, institutional failure, and democratic erosion, Atiku stressed that no amount of “historical revisionism or sanctimony” can diminish his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999.
“Legacy is not defined by office titles but by courage, consistency, and conviction,” the statement added. “Atiku Abubakar’s record as a unifier and reform advocate is deeply rooted in the consciousness of Nigerians and remains immune to the revisionist narratives of former allies turned defenders of dysfunction.”
Reaffirming his commitment to Nigeria’s future, the former vice president declared that he would not be distracted by political jesters posturing as patriots.
“The task of rebuilding Nigeria is too critical to be derailed by the ego trips of desperate presidential aides. Atiku remains focused and undeterred in his mission to rescue and rebuild the country,” the statement concluded.
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