STOP WEAPONIZING IGNORANCE, LAGOS APC TELLS ATIKU’S CAMP — Says Tinubu’s Leadership Is Guided By Law, Not Emotion

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing its recent criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s clemency policy as “a cocktail of ignorance, frustration and political bitterness.”

Reacting to comments by one of Atiku’s aides who accused President Tinubu of making a “pardon U-turn,” the Lagos APC said the opposition’s interpretation of events reflected a “shallow understanding of governance and institutional processes.”

In a strongly worded statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday and signed by the party’s spokesman, Hon. (Mogaji) Seye Oladejo, the APC said President Tinubu’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and national interest, not political emotion or public noise.

“Unlike the impulsive and uninformed commentary that has become the trademark of the opposition, President Tinubu’s decisions are driven by due process, rule of law, and national interest. In advanced democracies, informed review and reconsideration are marks of credible leadership and institutional maturity — not weakness,” the statement read.

“Atiku Needs Governance Refresher Lessons”

The Lagos APC accused the former Vice President of being “trapped in a bygone political era” and of repeatedly misreading the nuances of modern governance.

“It is quite understandable, though regrettable, that Atiku Abubakar and his media handlers permanently misread governance dynamics. Having left public office since 2007 — a period during which he did not particularly cover himself in glory — Atiku clearly needs refresher courses in modern governance,” Oladejo stated.

He added that the former Vice President’s ideas were “stale, unimaginative, and disconnected from today’s realities,” describing Atiku’s political history as one defined by “serial electoral defeats and opportunistic party defections.”

“Indeed, serial defeat at the polls can weigh heavily on an aging mind that was never more than ordinary in the first place,” the statement continued in a tone laden with political sarcasm.

“A Tarnished Record Cannot Lecture Statesmanship”

The ruling party further dismissed Atiku’s moral authority to criticize President Tinubu, citing what it called “unresolved scandals and unexplained fortunes” associated with his political career.

“It is the height of irony that a candidate whose career has been defined by endless defections, internal party sabotage, and judicial tourism is attempting to lecture President Tinubu on leadership or integrity,” Oladejo said.

According to him, rather than “issuing hollow press tantrums,” Atiku’s camp should focus on “rehabilitating its battered political credibility.”

“Nigeria Deserves Better Than Desperation Politics”

The statement emphasized that President Tinubu’s administration remains focused on institutional reform and good governance, accusing the opposition of prioritizing noise over nation-building.

“The Nigerian public is weary of this infantile, bitterness-driven politics — where sound governance decisions are attacked for the sake of noise-making. President Tinubu is strengthening institutions, not pandering to emotion or social media theatrics. While responsible leaders build, petty politicians rant,” the APC added.

Moving Forward

The Lagos APC urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as “media convulsions from a defeated politician’s corner,” insisting that Tinubu will continue to lead with constitutional discipline, courage, and clarity of purpose.

“Nigeria is moving forward — and no amount of political tantrums will change that reality,” Oladejo concluded.