TMSG Faults Atiku’s ‘Competing With Thieves’ Remark, Cites Past Corruption Allegations
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent remark that he and others were “competing with thieves,” describing the statement as “laughable” and questioning his credibility to make such accusations.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said Atiku spoke as though Nigerians had forgotten controversies and allegations that trailed his time in government as vice president between 1999 and 2007.
TMSG said the former vice president’s criticism of the current administration appeared tied to his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The group also referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comments about Atiku in his book, My Watch, where the former president made a series of allegations regarding Atiku’s conduct while in office.
According to TMSG, Atiku never successfully challenged those claims in court and had maintained that he had not been convicted of corruption.
The support group further cited a 2010 U.S. congressional report that examined financial transactions involving Atiku’s wife, Jennifer Douglas Abubakar, as well as allegations that surfaced during investigations linked to the Siemens bribery scandal.
It also referred to a Nigerian Senate committee report that accused Atiku of involvement in the diversion of funds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), an allegation that has remained a subject of public debate.
In addition, TMSG criticised the privatisation programme conducted during Atiku’s tenure as chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, arguing that several public assets were sold under controversial circumstances.
The group concluded that the former vice president faces numerous corruption-related allegations and therefore lacks the moral authority to accuse others of wrongdoing.
Atiku has consistently denied allegations of corruption and has repeatedly by TMSG remain claims made by the group and various reports it cited. Atiku has denied wrongdoing and has not been convicted on the allegations mentioned in the statement.
