Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has labeled the Tinubu administration’s attempt to use China as a benchmark against him a significant miscalculation. The Presidency had previously criticized Atiku, suggesting that if he resided in China, he would face imprisonment for allegedly hiring lobbyists to investigate President Bola Tinubu’s past forfeiture case in the United States.
Through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the comparison was ill-conceived. He noted that under Chinese law, serious drug trafficking offenses carry the death penalty, implying that the Presidency’s rhetoric inadvertently invites unwanted scrutiny toward President Tinubu himself. Atiku maintained that he has no criminal record and has never been convicted of narcotics or corruption charges in any jurisdiction.
Atiku challenged the Presidency’s choice of reference, stating that if China is the standard for accountability, the government must address how Chinese authorities would handle the forfeiture of funds linked to drug trafficking. He further criticized the current administration for its management of national issues, suggesting that the strict Chinese legal system would not tolerate the corruption scandals, administrative negligence, and economic hardships currently affecting Nigeria. The statement concluded by advising the Presidency to focus on governance, insecurity, and the economy rather than pursuing diplomatic arguments that highlight their own political vulnerabilities.
