Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political trajectory would have halted at the governorship of Lagos State if not for his intervention.
Responding to widespread perceptions that Tinubu rescued him during his clash with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku emphasized that it was his support that enabled Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos governor to proceed smoothly.
In a statement released through his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, Atiku refuted claims by Vice President Kashim Shettima that he benefited from Tinubu’s goodwill, clarifying that it was Tinubu who greatly benefited from his support.
Atiku highlighted that Tinubu’s tenure could have faced significant challenges without his backing, underscoring his commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
Addressing misconceptions about his political affiliation during the 2007 elections, Atiku emphasized that he ran under the Action Congress (AC) and not the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which is often associated with Tinubu.
He further explained that the AC emerged from a coalition of parties, including the Advance Congress of Democrats (ACD) and Tinubu’s faction of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), challenging assertions that Tinubu had singular control over the platform.
Atiku concluded by asserting that Tinubu couldn’t have unilaterally nominated him, as he was endorsed by delegates from all states, debunking suggestions that Tinubu wielded sole influence over his candidacy.