The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, over his recent comments concerning former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The council described Morka’s remarks as an attempt to use allegations and insults in place of established facts, saying such statements would not change public opinion about the issues surrounding the current administration.
In a statement issued by the council’s Director of Strategic Communications, Frank Shaibu, the campaign team challenged Morka to produce any court judgment establishing the allegations he made against Atiku.
Shaibu said political arguments should not be presented as legal convictions without supporting court decisions.
The council also questioned the APC spokesperson over the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, particularly the rising cost of food, fuel, transportation and electricity.
The campaign council further raised allegations and past legal matters involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including references to proceedings in the United States involving the forfeiture of funds from an account linked to Tinubu.
Shaibu argued that the issues surrounding Tinubu’s financial history should also be subjected to public scrutiny whenever the APC raises questions about the records of political opponents.
The council referred to documents and proceedings in the United States concerning Tinubu and said the President should support lawful disclosure of relevant records and provide explanations where necessary.
It also recalled Tinubu’s appearance before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in 2011 over allegations concerning foreign bank accounts during his tenure as Lagos State governor. The charges were eventually struck out after the tribunal found that the Code of Conduct Bureau had not followed the required procedure. Tinubu was not convicted in that case.
The ADC campaign council also questioned discrepancies it said had appeared in records relating to Tinubu’s educational history and birth year. It called for clearer explanations of the differences contained in various documents associated with the President.
On the Mambilla power project controversy, the council accused Morka of presenting allegations as established findings. Shaibu argued that references to payments involving individuals connected to the matter did not amount to a court finding that Atiku had received a bribe or secured the disputed contract through improper means.
The council similarly referred to a 2010 United States Senate report involving financial transfers connected to Atiku and Jennifer Douglas. Shaibu said the report contained various findings and recommendations but did not establish a criminal conviction against Atiku.
The campaign council also challenged claims concerning Nigeria’s foreign reserves under the Tinubu administration, arguing that figures cited by Morka did not accurately reflect the level of reserves inherited by the current government.
Shaibu said the council believed economic policies should be judged by their effect on ordinary Nigerians, particularly the cost of essential goods and services.
The ADC campaign council also highlighted Atiku’s record as vice-president, including his role in the implementation of economic reforms and the Universal Basic Education programme during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Shaibu said political debates should focus on verifiable records rather than personal attacks and challenged the APC and the Presidency to provide answers to questions surrounding their own records.
The council maintained that Atiku would respond to serious allegations with facts and called for the release of relevant records where legally permissible.
It also urged Nigerians to examine the records and claims made by all political actors before reaching their own conclusions.