The All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Network has fired back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, calling him out for his remarks about Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This was contained in a statement by the group’s director-general, Otuekong Iniobong John, and made available to blueprint in Uyo, Thursday.
Atiku had accused Akpabio of corruption and abuse of women, but the APC Media Network said Atiku’s own history of corruption makes him unfit to accuse others.
The group stated that Atiku’s tenure as vice president was marked by corruption, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo affirming that Atiku abused his office to acquire national assets.
The group added that Obasanjo also expressed regret for choosing Atiku as his running mate and called him a “shameless and blatant liar.”
They defended Akpabio’s record, highlighting his commitment to excellence and integrity in public service.
The group pointed out that Akpabio’s tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom state was marked by exemplary leadership and development projects, and he has continued to uphold high standards as Senate President.
The network further criticised Atiku for amplifying baseless claims against Akpabio, despite lack of evidence.
They alleged that Atiku’s decision to sponsor Senator Akpoti Natasha’s trip to the Inter-Parliamentary Union conference in New York, where she made unsubstantiated claims against Nigeria, raises questions about his judgment and motives.
The statement reads: “We find it necessary to respond to the recent remarks made by former Vice President Abubakar, who has not only accused Senator Akpabio, the President of the Senate, of corruption but also alleged that he has a propensity to abuse women. Such statements are, to say the least, unbecoming of a public figure of his standing.
“Historically, Atiku is recognised as the most corrupt politician in Nigeria. During his tenure as vice president, he abused his office to fraudulently acquire numerous national assets. These allegations have been affirmed by his former principal, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has categorically stated that Atiku is too corrupt to be entrusted with any public office in our nation.
“Furthermore, in his autobiography, My Watch, former President Olusegun Obasanjo dedicates several chapters to detailing how Atiku misused his position to illegally acquire national assets. This illustrates not only a history of corruption but also a fundamental lack of character,” the group stated.