The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement 2027 has taken on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. They are responding to his attack on President Bola Tinubu’s vacation in Europe.
The group said Atiku's comments are an effort to turn Tinubu's annual leave into a political issue. They insisted that the President's short time away does not create a leadership gap.
PUNCH Online reports that Atiku criticized Tinubu on Sunday for taking a three-week vacation while the country faces economic hardship and insecurity.
Although Atiku admitted there is no constitutional gap in leadership, he mentioned a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership” in Nigeria. He shared this on his verified X account, questioning why the President chose this time for vacation given the issues facing the people.
Tinubu left Abuja on Sunday for Europe, starting his three-week annual leave in London, United Kingdom. His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the President's departure. He stated Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the vacation to join the “hectic campaign” for the 2027 general election.
In response to Atiku's comments, the group released a statement through their National Coordinator, Sunday Asuku. They urged Atiku to focus on sharing his political plans with Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.
The movement labeled Atiku a “serial presidential contestant without direction.” They pointed out that after multiple attempts to be president since 1993, he should explain what he will do differently if he wins.
They said, “After contesting for the presidency repeatedly since 1993, Atiku should be telling Nigerians what he intends to do differently, rather than spending his time attacking President Tinubu.
“Presidents and world leaders go on vacation. A vacation does not mean a country has been abandoned. Nigeria has functioning institutions and officials responsible for ensuring that government continues to run.”
The group also criticized Atiku for changing his stance on the petrol subsidy policy. They reminded people that he campaigned during the 2023 presidential election promising to remove the subsidy, but now he is calling for its restoration.
According to the movement, this shift could be an effort to take advantage of the hardships Nigerians face for political gain.
“In 2023, he told Nigerians he would remove fuel subsidy. Today, he is talking about bringing it back. Nigerians deserve to know whether this is a genuine policy position or simply an attempt to deceive people into believing that he suddenly sympathises with them,” the statement said.
The group reminded Atiku that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started preparing for the 2027 elections. They urged him to take his campaign to Nigerians and explain how he plans to handle the economy, insecurity, unemployment, and other national issues.
They said, “INEC has rolled out the timetable. Atiku should go out and campaign and tell Nigerians what he has for them. Smearing the name of President Tinubu because he has gone on vacation will not work.”
The movement encouraged Nigerians to judge Tinubu based on his policies and performance instead of political attacks.
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