In apparent reference to last week’s gathering of some top political actors in Abuja, the Presidency has accused the former political office holders of spreading hostility in the polity.
The Presidency, while describing the politicians as “wannabes” whose antecedents are well known, lambasted them for spreading ill-wind and heating up the polity.
Last week, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai; and former minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, met at a political conference in Abuja.
The political leaders, who were on opposing sides during the 2023 election, made uncomplimentary comments about the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
The meeting of the politicians, who are PDP, APC, Labour Party members, was interpreted as a next stage in what could result in a political coalition, alliance or merger ahead of the 2027 election.
The meeting was also a reunion of sorts for most of those who worked closely in the 2015 election under the APC which unseat the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leading to the election of immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Tinubu was a key member of that political group.
Reacting however to the gathering, special adviser media and public communications/spokesperson to the president, Sunday Dare, said nothing new came out of the gathering and urged Nigerians to begin an early scrutiny of the political actors.
Dare said the comments were designed to create political tension while the president was on official duty in Tanzania addressing Nigeria’s energy concerns.
“While the President was seeking solutions to Nigeria’s energy problems in Dar es Salaam, some ‘wannabes’ were heating up the polity,” Dare posted on his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD.
He referred to the recent political meeting as an attempt to spread hostility, accusing participants of engaging in undemocratic rhetoric.
“Expectedly, it was a gathering convened to further spread ill-will. Nothing new came out of the gathering different from the opposition script we are used to,” Dare stated.
The adviser urged Nigerians to assess the past records of these “political gladiators” and make informed choices between “political hecklers and real progressives.”
Dare said President Tinubu is focused on fulfilling his electoral mandate despite the political distractions.
“The only conversation he wants to have now is how to improve the lives of Nigerian citizens and constructive discourse on building a resilient economy,” he said.
He also described the opposition’s criticism as premature, given that the next general election is two years away.
“This is 2025. Not 2027. Let those who want to test their popularity with Nigerians wait for the next election,” Dare added.
Dismissing concerns over the opposition’s remarks, Dare assured citizens that the President remains “undistracted and unperturbed,” emphasising Tinubu’s commitment to democratic governance.
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