Atiku to Tinubu: You Invoked China, Apply Same Standard to $460,000 Forfeiture

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Presidency over its recent reference to China while responding to him, arguing that the comparison has instead drawn renewed attention to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s past legal issues in the United States.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the Presidency’s position as a political miscalculation that had turned attention away from him and back to President Tinubu.

The former vice president accused the Presidency of presenting a routine diplomatic response from the United States government as though it amounted to proof clearing the President of wrongdoing.

According to Atiku, the decision by the President’s spokesman to introduce China into the public debate had created fresh questions rather than strengthening the government’s position.

He maintained that if China was being used as the standard for measuring accountability, then Nigerians should also consider how Chinese authorities would treat a case involving the forfeiture of $460,000 to the United States government in a civil forfeiture case linked to allegations of narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Atiku stated that Chinese authorities are known for taking a strict approach to narcotics-related offences and public accountability, adding that forfeiture of funds would not ordinarily bring such matters to an end under that legal system.

The former presidential candidate also insisted that he had never been convicted or found guilty of corruption, drug-related offences or any other criminal offence by any court in Nigeria or abroad.

He further criticised the Tinubu administration over governance issues, including the handling of the national budget, allegations involving government officials and the country’s current economic challenges.

According to him, a government should concentrate on addressing rising hardship, insecurity and the cost-of-living crisis instead of engaging in political exchanges that distract from issues affecting citizens.

Atiku also argued that diplomatic communication between governments should not be interpreted as a court judgment or legal clearance capable of rewriting historical records.

He urged the Presidency to improve the quality of its public communication, maintaining that political messaging cannot replace verifiable facts.

The latest exchange followed an earlier statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled “When Will Atiku Abubakar Report Himself to President Trump?”

In that statement issued on Thursday, Onanuga argued that Atiku’s record in public office disqualified him from seeking support from Nigerians and claimed that if he were subject to Chinese laws, he would have been imprisoned for offences committed against the Nigerian people.

The latest development adds to the growing war of words between the Presidency and the former vice president as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum.