Nigeria’s political space is heating up as All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is asking former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to provide proof of his claim that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is giving opposition parties N50m.
The crisis is about accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku made the claim on Monday at a national conference in Abuja titled “Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria.” Organized by five groups including African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development and National Peace Committee the conference was to address governance issues.
He warned that Nigeria’s democracy is at “grave danger” if political parties continue to indulge in financial inducements.
APGA’s Reaction
Three days later, APGA hit back. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara the party described Atiku’s claim as “baseless and unfounded.”
APGA called the accusation a ploy to “heat up the polity” and asked Atiku to either provide facts or retract his statement.
“If Atiku is serious about strengthening democracy he must name the parties that collected N50m from APC,” the statement read. “Empty allegations only erode public trust. It’s time for him to put up facts or stop spreading rumours.”
The party said it’s committed to issue-based politics and urged stakeholders to focus on policy debates not sensational claims.
Analysts say unverified allegations like Atiku’s can divert attention from national issues.
Dr Fatima Bello a governance expert at University of Abuja notes that Nigeria’s history of electoral disputes is often linked to unproven financial misconduct claims.
“In 2019 similar allegations eroded voter confidence,” she said. “Without evidence such statements fuel cynicism.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has repeatedly warned against politicising corruption allegations. Under Nigerian law false claims intended to mislead the public can violate the Cybercrimes Act but enforcement is not consistent.
Civil society groups including Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) have joined APGA in demanding accountability. CDD Director Idayat Hassan said “political leaders must lead by example.” She added “if Atiku has evidence he should submit it to INEC or EFCC. Democracy is built on facts not rumours.”
Meanwhile APC supporters have dismissed the whole issue as a distraction. Kabiru Musa a political commentator in Kaduna said “opposition parties should focus on articulating their vision instead of trading accusations.”
As the temperature rises APGA’s question is a broader call for ethical politics.
For ordinary Nigerians the priority is clear: leaders must address insecurity, inflation and unemployment not verbal jousting.
The ball is in Atiku’s court. Will he put up evidence or will this join the long list of unresolved political disputes? Until then we ask:
Are these allegations genuine or election season drama?
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