The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied allegations that he received campaign funds from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the 2023 presidential election.
Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, was accused in a report alongside Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, of obtaining campaign funds from Sanwo-Olu through a proxy.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Abubakar’s media office dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
“Let it be known that this is a blatant lie from the pit of hell; a contrived political hogwash, and a futile campaign of calumny aimed at advancing the political interests of President Bola A. Tinubu,” the statement read.
The media office further clarified that Atiku Abubakar has no personal or professional relationship with Governor Sanwo-Olu and has never met him.
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“This piece of kindergarten propaganda is beneath the camp of Tinubu. How is it possible for Atiku, who does not know and has no connection with Sanwo-Olu, to engage in any financial transaction with him—let alone during the 2023 presidential election in which his boss was a contestant? To what end would that be?” the statement questioned.
The statement also described the allegations as a “political hatchet job” designed to create an excuse for sidelining Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is allegedly losing favor within his political circle.
“Indeed, their strategy is twofold: to get rid of Sanwo-Olu and to discredit the coalition being put together by opposition political leaders, of which Atiku Abubakar is a key stakeholder,” the media office asserted.
The statement further pointed out inconsistencies in the report, highlighting that an alleged aide of Governor Sanwo-Olu was quoted as speaking against his principal, calling it an absurd scenario.
“This voyage of misadventure and campaign of calumny against the person and reputation of Atiku Abubakar must be halted immediately and with alacrity too,” the media office demanded.
Abubakar’s media team also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has reportedly been investigating the matter, to make its findings public.