The presidency says its attention has been drawn to unfounded allegations by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, claiming to be the subject of an EFCC investigation regarding unsubstantiated financial dealings involving Lagos State.

“These claims, circulated through his media office, are false and reflect a troubling pattern of relying on social media gossip over substance,” Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Friday.

“It is disheartening that a politician of Atiku’s stature would lend credibility to baseless social media speculation to remain politically relevant,” Onanuga added.

He said President Bola Tinubu remained focused on addressing critical national challenges and advancing his administration’s agenda for Nigeria’s growth and stability.

The presidential aide said the president had neither the time nor the inclination to engage in petty political distractions.

“Atiku’s allegations are infantile and a transparent ploy to deflect from his political setbacks.

“His repeated attempts to drag the presidency and now the Lagos State government into fabricated controversies reveal a desperate bid for attention amid his fading attempt to cobble a coalition,”Onanuga said.

He stated that since his defeat in the 2023 presidential election, the former vice president had failed to rise to the dignified role of an elder statesman.

Onanuga said rather than contributing constructively to the national discourse, he had chosen the path of divisive rhetoric and unfounded accusations.

“We urge Atiku Abubakar to redirect his energy toward initiatives that foster unity, economic progress, and democratic stability – qualities Nigeria urgently needs.

“Lastly, the former vice president should know that the EFCC, as an independent institution, operates within its statutory mandate without external influence.

” Any insinuation otherwise is a disservice to the agency’s professionalism and the rule of law.

“The presidency remains committed to transparency, accountability and the pursuit of national development – priorities that demand our undivided attention,” he said. (NAN)

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on My Monday in Abuja lamented that democracy is gradually dying in the African continent.

Speaking as the chairman of the colloquium to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of former governor of Imo State Emeka Ihedioha, Obasanjo said leaders in Africa are not doing enough to sustain Democratic ideals in their countries adding that “democracy in Africa is not just failing but dying”Chief Obasanjo decried that democracy in Africa is in the reverse gear and may go into extinction because of the greed and wickedness of leaders. He advised African leaders to practice democracy that delivers the dividends to the peopleThe former President stressed that democracy should ordinarily be a government for all the people and not a few to the detriment of many.He added that African leaders have betrayed the essence of democracy because “they get into power and appropriate the wealth of the people to themselves and a few cronies”.Obasanjo called for a reversal of the trend if democracy is to survive and thrive in Africa.He praised the celebrant Emeka Ihedioha who has remained steadfast and unperturbed even in the face of injustice against him.Apparently referring to Ihedioha’s exit as governor of Imo State through the instrumentality of the supreme court who gave the governorship seat to a candidate who was fourth in the election against him, he submitted “Emeka is a determined person. Your are gentleman and good hearted.”

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Plateau State PDP Chairman, Hon.

Chris Hassan has said the journey to the 2027 general elections in Nigeria required strong party men and women of proven integrity that will not betray the party but drive the party to victory.The Chairman at weekend reiterated that the party will not accept poor performance from any officer again and will not hesitate to pass a vote of no confidence on such underperformance party officials if elected into office this time around. Hassan stated this when he received Hon Stephen Abraham Ajiya an aspirant for the office of the North Central Zonal Vice Chairman of the PDP alongside delegates at the PDP Secretariat in Jos the state capital, assuring that delegates from the state will do the needful when the times come.In his words, “The PDP has gone through a lot on the Plateau, we have seen it all! You will recall that when we went for zoning, we said it is time for the FCT. We know the definition of FCT; we know those who own FCT because the battle ahead of us is not an easy one.”The battle for the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party at whatever level needs people that are tested, people that can withstand the storm. We know how we suffered on the Plateau for 8 years, some even died in the cause of the struggles. “Now, our own Dakas Shan has done well as a Vice Chairman of the North Central Zone; so, he needs a worthy successor. He needs somebody that can succeed him very well. We used to have 12 Governors, now we have 11 Governors. If you know you are not ready for battle, you better resign now,” He warnedHassan further hinted, “If you want to do PDP, this is the time, there are very strong clandestine meetings going on to buy us (delegates). We are very conscious and aware of plans that some people are making, so that time will come and they will say they are decamping from PDP to that party so that they will go with a large number of people.” He allegedly statedThe North Central Zonal Vice Chairmanship aspirant, Hon. Stephen Abraham Ajiya earlier on while addressing the party leadership and delegates at the party’s Secretariat in Jos pledged to lead the party in the region to victory come 2027 general elections.According to Ajiya, “I am here to canvas for your votes, we are mindful of moneybags who are planning and feel they can buy everybody come 12 April, 2025.”Now, my concentration is to bring back the entire PDP governor’s seat in the North Central, that’s my major concern. The capacity to turn this PDP around in this zone will come from me if voted into office. To the delegates, if you want us to solve all the problems in the PDP vote for me,” he notedThe Zonal PDP Congress is scheduled for 12 April, 2925 is expected to hold in Jos the Plateau State capital, where new executives will emerge to spearhead the affairs of the party in the geopolitical zone in the country.