The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Presidency for invoking China in its response to allegations against him, arguing that the comparison only raises more questions about President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the Presidency's attempt to compare his record with China's legal standards had backfired because the Asian country imposes severe penalties, including death, for serious drug-related offences.
According to the former Vice President, he has never been indicted or convicted in Nigeria or any other country for corruption, drug offences or any criminal offence, insisting that his record remains untainted.
He argued that if the Tinubu administration had chosen China as the benchmark for public accountability, Nigerians were equally entitled to examine issues surrounding the reported civil forfeiture of $460,000 to the United States Government over funds allegedly linked to narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
Atiku also said China's legal system was known for its strict stance on corruption, abuse of office and misappropriation of public resources, alleging that such practices would attract tougher scrutiny under Chinese laws.
He further accused the Tinubu administration of failing to address worsening economic hardship, insecurity and hunger, while alleging that the government had become preoccupied with political distractions instead of governance.
The former Vice President also dismissed the Presidency's reliance on diplomatic correspondence from the United States as proof of innocence, arguing that such exchanges were routine and could not be equated with a judicial acquittal.
He urged the Presidency to improve the quality of its public communication, stressing that while propaganda might dominate public discourse temporarily, facts would ultimately prevail, according to the statement signed by Shaibu.
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