Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of waging war against critics and those opposed to his administration in the guise of fighting corruption.
In a statement on Sunday, which he signed, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election said the president has been using the machinery of state to silence critics of his administration.
Atiku spoke against the recent arrest and detention of a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, who had been investigated for corruption during the previous administration.
“Even to the most inattentive, it has become glaringly clear that Tinubu is not waging a war on corruption; he is waging a war on the opposition, manipulating the system to his own political advantage.
“Two days ago, the nation was jolted by the arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf, a fierce and unyielding social critic.
“Though the charges against him have been festering since the previous administration, it is impossible to ignore the strong likelihood that his detention is politically motivated,” Atiku said.
Highlighting what he termed the irony of the Tinubu administration, Atiku said not a few of the people around the president are allegedly embroiled in scandals and investigations by both local and international authorities.
He accused the president of weaponising pending investigations involving his critics to suppress opposition to his administration.
“It is absurd that while the administration shelters those under investigation, it continues to exploit state institutions to stifle dissent, all under the false pretence of combating corruption.
“Even to the most inattentive, it has become glaringly clear that Tinubu is not waging a war on corruption; he is waging a war on the opposition, manipulating the system to his own political advantage,” he added.
