The Presidency has reacted to the claim by former Vice-President and Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is 90 years old.
It pointedly noted that Atiku’s allegation was an attempt to revive a campaign that is struggling to gain political momentum.
These were contained in a statement by Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, in response to claims by Atiku during an interview with the BBC that he possessed evidence to support his assertion about Tinubu’s age.
While also responding to the allegation in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Ajayi pointedly accused Atiku of resorting to personal attacks because of his determination to secure the presidency.
Ajayi said; “For former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, this is the last kick of a dying horse. He will stop at nothing in his desperation for the presidency of Nigeria. He is racing against time in his quest for the fulfilment of his marabouts’ prophecy”.
The Presidency also questioned why Atiku, who assured that his campaign would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, was now devoting attention to Tinubu’s personal affairs.
Ajayi said; “We are at a loss as to why a man who said he wants to run his campaign on issues that affect the lives of Nigerians has reduced his chance of ever realising his elusive ambition to the personal life of President Tinubu.
“It is ridiculous to claim President Tinubu is 90 years old. Alhaji Atiku wakes up every day to say whatever comes to his mouth with the hope that his failing campaign will gain traction,” he said.
Ajayi further said that Atiku’s latest comments on fuel subsidy had failed to persuade Nigerians about the viability of his policy proposals, adding that the former Vice President has offered inconsistent positions on the subsidy question which are “incoherent and flip-flopping on policy issues”.
The presidential aide argued that Atiku was increasingly turning to attacks on Tinubu to maintain public attention after struggling to sell his policy position.
According to Ajayi; “When he could not convince Nigerians of the soundness and workability of his new fuel subsidy prescription, the only way he hopes to remain in the news cycle and keep his floundering campaign alive is to increase the volume of personal attacks on the president.
“Let him go to court to present the evidence that President Tinubu is 90 years old. He has failed everywhere against President Tinubu, moving from court to court. He failed in his numerous court cases against President Tinubu in the United States and Nigeria in the last election cycle. He will fail again this time around,” he stated.
