Atiku speaks on receiving funds from Sanwo-Olu for 2023 election campaign

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied allegations that he received financial support from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his 2023 presidential campaign.

In a statement released by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja on Thursday, Abubakar dismissed the claims as false and politically motivated.

The statement, signed by his media aide Paul Ibe, refuted reports suggesting that both Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, were funded by Sanwo-Olu through an intermediary.

Describing the allegations as baseless, the media office accused President Bola Tinubu’s camp of orchestrating the claims to serve political interests.

It emphasized that Abubakar had never met or interacted with Sanwo-Olu, making such financial transactions impossible.

The statement further alleged that the claim was a ploy to justify sidelining Sanwo-Olu, who is reportedly at odds with Tinubu, while also attempting to undermine opposition efforts, in which Abubakar plays a significant role.

Additionally, the media office questioned the credibility of the reports, pointing out inconsistencies, including an alleged statement from a Sanwo-Olu aide criticizing his own principal.

“Indeed, their strategy is two-fold: get rid of Sanwo-Olu and discredit the coalition being put together by the opposition political leaders, of which Atiku Abubakar is a key stakeholder,” it added.

“This voyage of misadventure and campaign of calumny against the person and reputation of Atiku Abubakar must be halted immediately and with alacrity too.”

Calling for an immediate end to what it termed a smear campaign, Abubakar’s team urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publicly disclose any findings related to the matter.