The Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals (IK-PRO) has condemned former Vice president Atiku Abubakar for accusing the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio of corruption and abuse of women.
In a statement on Tuesday by the national President, Mr.Edidiong John and National Secretary, Mr.Kemfon Neke, the group said that Atiku’s accusations have political undertone.
According to the IK-PRO, the former Vice president was executing a larger political agenda to discredit the Senate President and the President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 election.
It said that Atiku’s defamatory comments against Akpabio lack proofs and expressive of his political frustrations following his serial presidential election losses.
The statement reads in parts: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in his recent remarks, baselessly accused the Senate President of corruption and alleged that he had a history of abusing women during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“However, he failed to provide any specific details or reference any pending corruption charges against Senator Akpabio. Likewise, he did not cite any verifiable incidents of abuse to support his outrageous claims. Instead, he resorted to reckless falsehoods, seemingly in a desperate bid to tarnish the Senate President’s reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“It is ironic that such accusations emanate from a man whose own past is riddled with serious credibility concerns. The former customs officer turned politician, who amassed enormous wealth, enabling him to contest every presidential election since the advent of the Fourth Republic, has a questionable record.
“More damningly, his former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, detailed his moral and ethical shortcomings in his book, My Watch, Volume 2 (pages 31-32).
“Obasanjo described Atiku Abubakar as having “a propensity to corruption,” “a tendency to disloyalty,” “an inability to say and stick to the truth all the time,” “a propensity for poor judgment,” “a belief and reliance on Marabouts,” “a lack of transparency” among others”.
Further the statement said: “Given such an unflattering verdict from one who had the closest view of Atiku Abubakar’s tenure, it is preposterous for him to pontificate about corruption in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. His moral authority on the subject is nonexistent.
“Furthermore, the former Vice President’s recent diatribe has unmasked the forces behind the baseless allegations aimed at destabilizing the Senate and its leadership.
“The coordinated attacks, including false accusations of sexual harassment, have always been politically motivated and are now fully exposed as part of a larger agenda for 2027. It is unfortunate that some politicians are willing to go to any lengths, including fabrications and character assassination, to advance their ambitions.
“Despite these attempts at distraction, the Senate under Senator Akpabio remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the enactment of quality legislation and robust oversight. The focus remains on advancing national development and delivering prosperity to Nigerians.
“IK-PRO also notes with concern Atiku Abubakar’s selective outrage over the National Assembly’s unanimous decision on the Rivers State issue. The decision, which received overwhelming support from lawmakers across party lines in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, is now being singularly blamed on Senator Akpabio.
“Curiously, the former Vice President has not directed similar criticism toward the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a fellow northerner, who also presided over the unanimous resolution. This selective targeting of Senator Akpabio, a southern leader, is both suspicious and troubling.
‘IK-PRO calls on Nigerians to recognize the consistent pattern of attacks aimed at destabilizing the leadership of prominent southern politicians. It is no coincidence that figures like Atiku Abubakar frequently engage in these calculated efforts to disrupt governance when competent southern leaders are at the helm.
‘We urge the former Vice President to reserve his political maneuvers for the 2027 elections and allow the Senate President to focus on the crucial legislative duties necessary to support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. Nigeria needs statesmanship, not baseless mudslinging and political mischief”.