A media group aligned with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has launched a sharp rebuttal against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, dismissing his critique of the president’s reelection campaign strategy.
The clash comes after Mr. Atiku, a veteran political figure who lost to Mr. Tinubu in the 2023 presidential race, questioned the president’s decision to limit his campaign rallies ahead of the 2027 polls. The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) argued that Mr Atiku has “no mandate from Nigerians” to speak on behalf of the electorate or dictate how the government runs its political campaign.
Clash over campaign strategy
The political row erupted after President Tinubu’s campaign team announced plans to restrict his physical presence to rallies in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, aiming to balance political campaigning with state duties. Mr Atiku, now representing the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), accused the president of being reluctant to face voters directly and account for his administration’s economic record.
In a joint statement released by TMSG Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, the pro-government group described Mr. Atiku’s critique as an “unnecessary obsession” driven by opposition anxiety.”Like many Nigerians, we were not surprised that the former Vice-President was quick to respond,” the statement read, adding that the opposition would have accused the president of “abandoning governance for politics” had he chosen to attend every rally.
The group also took a direct swipe at Mr Atiku’s repeated attempts at the presidency, claiming that a politician rejected by voters in past elections was in “no position to speak for the same electorate.”
Economic reforms at the heart of the debate
At the centre of the political friction is President Tinubu’s economic record since taking office in 2023, during which he introduced sweeping economic reforms, including the controversial removal of a long-standing petrol subsidy and currency devaluations. While the administration insists these measures were vital to avert economic collapse and spur long-term growth, opposition figures blame them for accelerating inflation and increasing the cost of living for ordinary Nigerians. Defending the administration, the TMSG pointed to key social welfare programmes and economic interventions as proof of performance, including:
Student Loans: Over 1.5 million students benefiting from the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Severance Payments: The payout of 21 billion naira ($13.8m) in long-overdue benefits to former Nigeria Airways staff left unpaid since Mr Atiku’s tenure as vice-president (1999–2007).
Tax Reliefs & Healthcare: Tax breaks for small businesses and low-income earners, alongside subsidized healthcare services such as free Caesarean sections and dialysis.
The group challenged Mr. Atiku over his economic alternatives, criticizing his proposals to reintroduce fuel subsidies and describing his economic framework as “hazy” and lacking clear details.What’s at stake?As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 presidential election, political posturing has begun early.
With West Africa’s largest economy navigating significant fiscal changes, the debate over President Tinubu’s reform agenda and campaign visibility signals an increasingly fierce battle between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a re-aligning opposition coalition.
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