Atiku should come to equity with clean hands before demanding explanations from Tinubu — TDF

Atiku should come to equity with clean hands before demanding explanations from Tinubu — TDF

The Democratic Front (TDF) has criticised former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for demanding explanations from President Bola Tinubu over a civil forfeiture case in the United States dating back about three decades.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo, the group urged Atiku to address allegations surrounding a petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning the transfer of $40 million in several tranches into accounts linked to his former wife, Ms Jennifer Douglas.

The group accused Atiku of attempting to shift the focus of the 2027 electioneering campaign from policies and issues to personalities.

“We are displeased by the former Vice President's desperation to shift discussions in ongoing electioneering campaigns to personality rather than issues of policies and convictions,” the statement said.

TDF said Atiku's recent comments on fuel subsidy had created the impression that he was prepared to engage in issue-based political discourse, but argued that his demand for explanations from Tinubu over the US forfeiture case represented a diversion from substantive campaign issues.

“The magnitude of energy and resources which the former Vice President is committing to the voyage of exhuming a civil forfeiture incident that was resolved three decades ago shows that Atiku Abubakar has nothing new to bring to the front burner to convince the electorate ahead of the January 2027 elections,” it added.

The group further argued that Atiku should not make personal integrity a central issue in his campaign while questions surrounding his own past remain unresolved.

According to TDF, the US case involved the forfeiture of $460,000 and was a civil forfeiture proceeding in rem, meaning that the property or funds were the subject of the case rather than an individual being criminally prosecuted.

“It is instructive to note that there is no aspect of the proceedings that indicted or criminalised President Tinubu over the issue,” the group said.

TDF also drew attention to allegations surrounding an investigation into the transfer of about $40 million into US accounts linked to Jennifer Douglas, whom it identified as Atiku's former wife between 2000 and 2008.

The group alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had previously acknowledged preventing an FBI investigation into Atiku over the matter, citing concerns about its potential implications for his administration and Nigeria's image.

TDF called on Atiku to provide Nigerians with explanations regarding the alleged transfers and the circumstances surrounding the reported US Senate subcommittee investigation.

“Nigerians deserve the right to hear details of the suspicious transfer of funds from their country between 2000 and 2008, which attracted a Sub-Committee probe from the American Senate,” it said.

The group concluded by urging the ADC presidential candidate to “come to equity with clean hands” before demanding explanations from President Tinubu over the US civil forfeiture incident.