A member of the House of Representatives and a group of lawyers and policy analysts have criticised African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over his renewed challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s academic, National Youth Service Corps and United States records ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency, Wale Ahmed, and The Progressive Counsel made their positions known in separate statements on Wednesday.
Ahmed described the renewed controversy as a political distraction, urging opposition politicians to focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the economy, insecurity, infrastructure and unemployment.
He spoke after reports that Atiku had filed a fresh suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking Tinubu’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential election over alleged irregularities involving his NYSC certificate.
“The case remains pending, and the allegations have not been established by a court,” Ahmed said, adding that political allegations should not be presented as established facts.
He said Nigerians deserved a campaign centred on policies and competing ideas rather than repeated allegations, while acknowledging that public officials remained subject to legitimate scrutiny.
Ahmed also criticised Atiku’s reported request to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation for records relating to Tinubu, arguing that the matter should not overshadow domestic concerns.
Separately, The Progressive Counsel accused Atiku of selectively scrutinising Tinubu while failing to address what it described as questions surrounding his own citizenship.
The group, in a statement signed by its convener, Maiyegun Oloriegbe, cited Section 131 of the Constitution, which sets out the qualifications for presidential candidates.
It urged both politicians to submit their records to the same legal and constitutional scrutiny, stressing that allegations should be determined by evidence and the courts.
The group said the 2027 election should focus on the economy, security, jobs, infrastructure and leadership rather than what it called “endless mud-slinging lawsuits.”
Atiku has defended his request for the release of FBI records, arguing that Nigerians have a democratic right to information about the history and character of candidates seeking the presidency.
