The Arewa Youth Integrity Forum, AYIF, has knocked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his call for the suspension of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Atiku had, through his media aides, demanded Gbajabiamila’s suspension over his alleged involvement in a N400 billion bribery scandal. Atiku had also called for an independent probe of the allegation.
However, the Arewa youths faulted Atiku’s position on the matter, claiming that the former Vice President was unfit to point accusing fingerd at anyone
In a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, the Forum accused Atiku of blatant hypocrisy and political desperation ahead of 2027 election.
“Gbajabiamila is a saint compared to the mountain of corruption cases that define Atiku Abubakar’s public life. While we support thorough investigation into any allegation, Atiku lacks the moral standing to lecture anyone on integrity.
“His call is nothing but political mischief aimed at distracting Nigerians from his own tainted history. The Arewa Youth Integrity Forum will not sit idly by while a serial controversy magnet pretends to be a crusader,” the statement said.
The Forum noted that unproven allegations against sitting officials should not be weaponized by opposition figures with far more damaging records.
AYIF pointed to Atiku’s tenure as Vice President, from 1999 to 2007, during which he faced multiple graft accusations, including a Senate probe that recommended his prosecution for allegedly diverting over $145 million from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, to companies linked to him.
The youth forum described Atiku’s latest intervention as selective outrage, especially given his history of alleged involvement in high-profile international scandals.
AYIF called on the former VP to first address the many questions surrounding his own wealth accumulation while in public office.
“Atiku was banned from entering the United States for years due to corruption concerns. Reports detailed how over $40 million in suspect funds, including bribe payments from Siemens, were allegedly moved through accounts linked to him and his wife.
“How does a man with such baggage have the audacity to call for the suspension of a serving official? This is the height of hypocrisy.
“Nigerians remember the William Jefferson bribery scandal where Atiku was implicated as the target of a $100,000 bribe attempt to influence Nigerian contracts,” the statement said.
The AYIF emphasised that while the allegations against Gbajabiamila deserve scrutiny, they should not overshadow the broader context of Atiku’s repeated brushes with anti-corruption agencies and international investigators.
The Forum recalled audio recordings released by a former aide alleging Atiku’s use of Special Purpose Vehicles, SPVs, to siphon public funds, including N100 million from ecological funds, further tarnishing his image.
AYIF noted that Atiku’s pattern of controversies, from PTDF fund diversions to offshore money laundering allegations, makes him unfit to dictate standards of governance.
The statement added, “Atiku’s public record is littered with allegations of abuse of office, embezzlement, and conflict of interest. From NICOTES/INTELS business dealings while in customs service to the litany of Senate indictments, his history speaks volumes.
“The former VP should retire from this endless cycle of scandals and allow credible leaders to move Nigeria forward.”
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