The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claim that he is “competing with thieves,” describing the statement as “utterly laughable” and accusing him of political desperation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said Atiku was speaking as though Nigerians had forgotten his eight years as Vice President under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
TMSG argued that Atiku’s comments were part of a familiar strategy to discredit President Bola Tinubu, just as it said he had previously attacked the late President Muhammadu Buhari. According to the group, that approach failed in 2019 and would not succeed in 2027.
The organisation also revived past allegations linked to Atiku, citing criticisms attributed to Obasanjo in his memoir My Watch, a 2010 United States congressional report concerning alleged offshore funds, allegations involving Siemens-related payments, and a Nigerian Senate committee report that accused him of diverting funds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund. Atiku has not been convicted of corruption, and the claims cited by TMSG have been disputed or denied.
TMSG further criticised Atiku’s record as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, alleging that public assets were sold at undervalued prices and that former workers suffered as a result.
“With so much baggage bordering on corruption allegations,” the group said, Atiku was in no position to accuse others of wrongdoing. It maintained that his latest attack reflected the pressure of another presidential bid rather than a credible indictment of the current administration.
