‘Absolutely Not’ – Fresh Details Emerge As Atiku Meets IBB In Minna

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a party of forgers and riggers, and accusing it of undermining democratic processes in Nigeria.

Atiku called on political parties and stakeholders to unite in demanding credible electoral reforms.

“We must come together to pursue this issue. We shouldn’t allow it to rest where they want it to rest. Absolutely not. I don’t support that,” he added.

Naija News reports that Atiku spoke in Minna, Niger State, shortly after a closed-door meeting with former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), at the latter’s residence.

The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, was held away from the media, with journalists and political supporters waiting outside the compound.

Reacting to the tax reforms proposed and gazetted by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the former Vice President said Nigerians should not be surprised by the actions of the ruling party.

“What do you expect? APC generally is a party of forgers and riggers. They forge everything, certificates, age limits, they forge everything. That is the hallmark of APC,” he said.

Atiku Faults Senate Decision On Election Result Transmission

Atiku also criticised the outcome of the Senate’s emergency plenary on electoral reforms, particularly the decision on election result transmission, which he described as disappointing and below public expectations.

“First and foremost, it is below the expectations of Nigerians, because Nigerians were expecting real-time transmission of election results at the various levels.

“What we got instead is a mixture of electronic and manual transmission, which is going to cause more confusion and chaos than if we had a single-tier electronic transmission of results,” he said.

‘2027 Presidency Not Under Consideration’

Speaking on speculation about his political ambition, Atiku said he was not currently considering contesting the 2027 presidential election.

“The question of contesting the 2027 election does not even arise. I am a member of ADC and we are busy ensuring our structures are firmly rooted at ward, local, state, and national levels,” he said.

He explained that the party’s focus remained on mobilisation and membership registration across the country ahead of future political engagements.

Atiku also clarified that the African Democratic Congress does not operate a zoning arrangement in its constitution, noting that such a framework is formally entrenched only in the Peoples Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also held a separate closed-door meeting with IBB at his Minna residence.

The governor, however, declined to speak with journalists after the meeting, leaving the details of his discussion with the former military leader undisclosed.