The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after he linked President Bola Tinubu's name to the outbreak of Ebola, accusing the opposition figure of "fouling up the arena" with reckless and insensitive politicking.
Atiku's Claim
Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, had in a statement criticised the Tinubu administration's handling of public health matters, alleging that the President's name had become associated with the Ebola crisis in a manner that undermined public confidence.
APC's Response
Reacting on Thursday, the APC described Atiku's comments as an "irresponsible descent into gutter politics," insisting that the former Vice President had crossed the line by dragging the President's name into a sensitive health emergency.
"You fouled up the arena," the APC said in its response, accusing Atiku of exploiting a public health scare for political gain rather than offering constructive criticism.
The ruling party maintained that President Tinubu has demonstrated firm leadership in coordinating Nigeria's response to the outbreak, and that Atiku's remarks were designed to distract from the administration's efforts.
What the Party Said
The APC urged Nigerians to reject what it called "alarmist and baseless" attempts to politicise disease outbreaks, warning that such statements could fuel panic and undermine public health messaging.
It also challenged Atiku to provide evidence for his claims or withdraw them, describing the former Vice President's statement as an exercise in "cheap publicity."
Atiku Camp Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, Atiku's media office had not issued a formal reaction to the APC's statement.
The exchange is the latest in a series of sharp confrontations between the ruling party and the former Vice President, whose criticisms of the Tinubu administration have intensified in recent months.
Analysts Weigh In
Political observers note that the APC's forceful response signals the party's determination to defend the President against any narrative it considers damaging, particularly on matters touching on national security and public health.
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