Atiku blasts ‘hypocrisy, selective outrage’ over political meetings

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized what he called the rising tide of hypocrisy and selective outrage within Nigeria’s political discourse, following widespread reactions to his recent meeting with former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, Atiku defended his decision to engage political figures across party lines, questioning why his actions were being subjected to scrutiny while similar moves by other opposition leaders were praised as strategic.

“When PDP leaders are busy sipping tea and brokering power deals with President Tinubu, it’s called a strategic alliance. But when I greet Peter Obi, El-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national emergency,” Atiku said. “Hypocrisy and selective outrage have never been this fashionable.”

The former presidential candidate, who has become a focal point of renewed political attention amid a series of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasized that he harbored no ill feelings towards members leaving the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He stressed that freedom of association remains a fundamental pillar of democracy.

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Atiku’s comments come in the wake of notable political realignments, including the defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and federal lawmaker Oluwole Oke to the APC—a development that has raised fresh concerns about the PDP’s internal unity ahead of the critical 2027 general elections.

Responding to criticisms surrounding his political outreach, Atiku reminded Nigerians that cross-party consultations have historically been essential to building broad coalitions.

“Let’s not rewrite history,” he said. “Buhari is a significant statesman in Nigeria’s political landscape. During the 2013 merger, opposition leaders consulted widely, including with Obasanjo and Babangida. So why the outrage now?”

He cautioned against falling prey to what he described as “orchestrated narratives” that paint genuine political engagement as betrayal, while others are celebrated for doing the same.

“This is not the time to fall for manipulation,” Atiku warned. “The real issue is not who visits whom, but the glaring failure of leadership under the current administration. Nigerians are battling hardship daily, and what we need is unity of purpose, not cheap politics.”

Positioning the 2027 election as a decisive contest for Nigeria’s future, Atiku called on political actors and citizens alike to prioritize credible governance and national survival over petty divisions.

“This moment is about collective survival. The real enemy is not one another—it is the Tinubu administration’s abysmal failure,” he declared.