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Says Atiku Has No Connection with Sanwo-Olu
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Challenges EFCC to Make Investigation Findings Public
The Atiku Media Office has dismissed reports alleging that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu facilitated a financial transaction between Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria, and Aisha Achimugu using state funds.
In a statement signed by Paul Ibe on March 27, 2025, Atiku’s media team described the claim as a “blatant lie from the pit of hell”, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s camp of orchestrating the allegations as a political smear campaign.
Atiku’s Camp: “A Baseless Political Attack”
The statement strongly refuted any association between Atiku and Governor Sanwo-Olu, insisting that the former Vice President has never met the Lagos governor.
“How is it possible for an Atiku that does not know and had no connection with Sanwo-Olu to be having a transaction with him involving the exchange of money—let alone during the 2023 Presidential election in which his boss was a contestant? To what end would that be?” the statement questioned.
Atiku’s camp further alleged that the controversy is part of a two-pronged strategy:
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To create a pretext for removing Governor Sanwo-Olu, who they claim has fallen out of favor with Tinubu’s political circle.
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To disrupt opposition unity, as Atiku remains a key stakeholder in a developing coalition of opposition leaders.
Calls for EFCC Transparency
With reports suggesting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the alleged transaction, Atiku’s team challenged the anti-graft agency to release its findings to the public.
“Since the EFCC has been dragged into the arena of politics and propaganda, we challenge the anti-corruption agency to make public the outcome of its alleged investigation,” the statement demanded.
Atiku’s camp warned against what it termed a “voyage of misadventure and campaign of calumny”, urging those behind the allegations to halt the smear campaign immediately.
