The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has responded to recent comments by the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesman, Felix Morka, concerning former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The Council stated that political attacks should not replace evidence or public debate over the records of political leaders. In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by its Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, the Council emphasized that allegations made against Atiku should be assessed based on facts and official records.
The Council said the APC should also be prepared to answer questions concerning President Bola Tinubu’s public record, arguing that scrutiny should apply equally to all political leaders seeking the mandate of Nigerians. Shaibu referred to historical proceedings in the United States involving a forfeiture of $460,000 from an account associated with Tinubu. He stressed that the circumstances and findings of those proceedings should be distinguished from broader allegations that have circulated in political debates.
The Council also referred to ongoing public discussions concerning records relating to Tinubu’s education and documents associated with Chicago State University. Court records in the United States show that questions were raised during litigation over the diploma submitted to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including differences between documents attributed to the university. At the same time, Chicago State University maintained that Tinubu attended the institution and graduated in 1979.
Shaibu said the Council recognised the distinction between questions raised about particular documents and a finding that Tinubu did not attend the university. The Council challenged the APC to accurately present the country’s foreign reserve position when discussing the economic record of the Tinubu administration. Shaibu cited Central Bank of Nigeria data showing that Nigeria’s external reserves stood at $34.39 billion at the end of May 2023.
The Council further addressed the recent controversy surrounding the $500,000 payment made by Sunrise Power promoter Leno Adesanya to Jennifer Douglas, who was then married to Atiku, in connection with the long-running Mambilla arbitration. Shaibu said the Council rejected any attempt to portray the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration as a criminal conviction against Atiku.
The Council said Nigerians were entitled to examine the competing records of the country’s political leaders, including their economic policies, public service records and positions on issues affecting the cost of living. Shaibu said Atiku’s record as vice president included his role as chairman of the National Council on Privatisation and his involvement in economic reform initiatives during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council therefore called on the APC and other political parties to engage in issue-based debate ahead of the 2027 elections, saying Nigerians deserved a campaign focused on the economy, security, jobs, infrastructure, education and the cost of living. The Council emphasized that political parties have every right to defend their candidates and challenge their opponents, but Nigerians are entitled to facts, documents and verifiable records.
Key points
- The ADC Campaign Council emphasizes the need for evidence-based debate on leaders' records.
- The Council challenges the APC to answer questions on President Bola Tinubu's public record.
- The Council calls for issue-based debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
