A fresh exchange of words has broken out between political allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s camp over claims about political strength ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development began after Festus Keyamo stated on social media that Tinubu remains ahead of his rivals politically. He referred to the president’s long history in opposition politics and suggested that his experience gives him an advantage over others preparing for the next election.
In response, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, rejected the claim and shifted attention to the current state of the country. He argued that past political success should not be used to measure present leadership, adding that governance should be judged based on the living conditions of citizens.
Shaibu pointed to ongoing challenges in the country, including rising cost of living and insecurity, stating that Nigerians are more concerned about daily struggles than past political achievements. He maintained that leadership should focus on delivering better outcomes rather than relying on political reputation.
The Atiku camp also raised concerns about what it described as worsening economic conditions and public dissatisfaction. According to them, the focus should be on addressing these issues rather than comparing political strength or past victories.
The exchange reflects growing political tension as different camps begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. It also shows a shift in discussions from political strategy to the performance of those currently in power and the impact on citizens’ lives.