Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has criticised Akin Osuntokun over his recent commentary on Atiku’s presidential ambition, describing it as a mixture of selective history, political prejudice and recycled allegations.
Ibe’s response followed Osuntokun’s article titled Atiku Abubakar Cannot Heckle His Way to the Presidency, in which he questioned the former vice-president’s suitability for another presidential contest.
In his reaction, Ibe argued that Nigerians were facing serious economic hardship, insecurity and uncertainty, yet attention was being diverted to alleged private conversations from more than two decades ago.
He particularly faulted the revival of a claim attributed to former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, who reportedly said former military President Ibrahim Babangida once told ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo that Atiku could not govern Nigeria.
Ibe countered the argument by referring to October 11, 2018, when Obasanjo publicly endorsed Atiku’s presidential ambition despite their previous political disagreements.
According to Ibe, Obasanjo acknowledged Atiku’s understanding of economic issues and his leadership credentials during the endorsement.
He maintained that neither Obasanjo nor Babangida had the authority to determine who could become Nigeria’s president, insisting that the final decision rested with voters.
On the question of age and political experience, Ibe argued that the same standards used to scrutinise Atiku should apply to every presidential aspirant, including incumbent President Bola Tinubu.
He also addressed the debate over political zoning, describing it as an arrangement intended to promote national balance rather than a constitutional restriction preventing qualified Nigerians from contesting elections.
Ibe maintained that Atiku’s political future would ultimately be determined by the electorate rather than political commentary, historical anecdotes or personal opinions.
Deborah Adeyefa
