Atiku Knocks Lagos APC, Says Party Should Address Questions Around Its Leaders’ Identity

 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has berated the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party should show more concern about the unresolved controversies surrounding the identity and age of its national leader instead of fixating on his political choices.

Atiku, who recently formalised his alliance with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissed the Lagos APC’s criticism as “hypocrisy and intellectual laziness.”

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, the former Vice President said his political trajectory remains open to public scrutiny.

“The attention of the Atiku Media Office has been drawn to yet another hollow and ill-considered statement by the Lagos APC, wherein its spokesman attempted to mock Atiku Abubakar for joining the ADC,” the statement read.

“Atiku Abubakar’s public life is transparent and fully documented. His age, parentage and educational records are known and traceable. He does not require affidavits or external investigators to validate his identity.”

He noted that the same cannot be said of the APC’s leading figure, “who, by all reasonable public evidence, is far older than acknowledged, yet remains desperate to cling to power.”

According to the statement, “If a healthier, mentally sharper and globally respected Atiku at 79 is considered ‘too old’ to aspire, what then do we call a leader whose true age remains a national riddle?”

Atiku accused the APC of shielding an individual whose records “have undergone several adjustments in name, age, origin and educational history,” while attempting to question his own political realignments.

“Party mobility is not a crime,” he said. “Identity manipulation is.”

He stressed that his collaboration with the ADC is driven by principles and a shared democratic vision, not desperation.

The statement added that the Lagos APC should focus on explaining the harsh economic realities, worsening insecurity and hardship citizens continue to endure under the ruling party.

“If the APC is searching for a man defined by restlessness and desperation, they need not look far. He is in the Villa—struggling to govern, struggling to appear coherent, and struggling to convince Nigerians about the age he claims,” it said.

Atiku maintained that his political relevance remains intact, describing himself as “the most experienced and prepared national leader today.”