Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly denied allegations that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu contributed funds to his campaign during the last presidential election.
In a statement released by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, and titled **“Halt This Tinubu’s Voyage of Misadventure and Campaign of Calumny Against Atiku Abubakar,”** the Atiku Media Office refuted reports suggesting that Sanwo-Olu, through Ms. Aisha Achimugu, funneled Lagos State funds to the former vice president.
“The reports in a section of the media that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through Ms. Aisha Achimugu, made available to Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), money purportedly belonging to Lagos State is not true,” the statement declared.
According to Atiku’s team, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is already investigating the matter. However, they dismissed the claims as **“a blatant lie from the pit of hell, a contrived political hogwash, and a futile campaign of calumny aimed at advancing the political interests of President Bola Tinubu.”**
EFCC Probes Achimugu Over Alleged Money Laundering
The controversy follows a recent report by *The People’s Insight* that Ms. Aisha Achimugu is currently under investigation for alleged money laundering and investment fraud.
In response to the allegations, Ibe stated:
“It may interest Nigerians to note that the Waziri of Adamawa does not know Governor Sanwo-Olu and has never met him before.”
Describing the claim as **“kindergarten propaganda”** from Tinubu’s camp, Ibe questioned its logic:
“How is it possible for Atiku, who does not know and has no connection with Sanwo-Olu, to be involved in a financial transaction with him—let alone during the 2023 presidential election in which Sanwo-Olu’s boss was a contestant? To what end would that be?”
He further alleged that the accusations were part of a broader political scheme aimed at sidelining Sanwo-Olu within his own party.
“This is a hatchet job aimed at providing justification to jettison Governor Sanwo-Olu, who appears to have fallen out of favor with the ‘Bourdillon Cult,’” the statement read.
Atiku’s camp suggested that the strategy against Sanwo-Olu had two objectives:
1. To remove him from office.
2. To discredit the growing coalition of opposition leaders, of which Atiku is a key player.
This development comes just days after Atiku announced the formation of a coalition aimed at unseating President Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku Challenges EFCC to Reveal Investigation Findings
Atiku’s media office also challenged the EFCC to make public the findings of its investigation.
“Since the EFCC has been dragged into the arena of politics and propaganda, we challenge the anti-corruption agency to make public the outcome of its alleged investigation. The Nigerian public, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, deserve to know the truth.”
The statement concluded with a strong warning against what it called a smear campaign against Atiku:
“This voyage of misadventure and campaign of calumny against the person and reputation of Atiku Abubakar must be halted immediately.”
Presidency, EFCC Silent on Allegations
Efforts to get a response from the Presidency were unsuccessful, as Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, did not answer calls or respond to text messages. Similarly, the Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communications, Barr. Daniel Bwala, was unreachable.
Meanwhile, The People’s Insight also reached out to the EFCC for a response to Atiku’s statement. The Commission’s Head of Media Relations, Mr. Dele Oyewale, had promised to provide a statement but failed to do so as of press time.
This developing political drama continues to raise questions about the EFCC’s involvement and the deeper power struggles within Nigeria’s political landscape.
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