Atiku Abubakar, repeatedly switching political affiliations, lacks credibility in criticizing Okowa, a one-time defector, according to Oshiomhole.
Renowned politician Adams Oshiomhole doesn't hold back when criticizing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his comments regarding Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's decision to jump ship from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a fiery statement, Oshiomhole, who served as the national chairman of the APC and governed Edo State from 2008-2016, called out Atiku for his history of party-switching and questioned his moral standing to critique political defections.
Oshiomhole's Slam Against Atiku
Oshiomhole made his remarks during the 28th Founders' Day Lecture of the Independent Television and Radio, held on Wednesday. His speech was themed "Nigeria, where are we going?"
The former Edo State governor recalled Atiku's past defections, recalling how the PDP stalwart moved from the party that had initially given him the platform to another, got its presidential ticket, contested, and lost an election. He added that the Supreme Court declared nothing was wrong with his action, which Oshiomhole sees as Atiku having no moral ground to chastise others for switching parties.
Oshiomhole further took Atiku to task for his repeated party-switching, mentioning his multiple failed attempts at gaining the presidency following his defections, citing his contests against former president Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu.
Atiku's Lengthy Political Journey
Atiku, who remains synonymous with the PDP despite his party-hopping history, served as vice president from 1999-2007 and ran for the presidency under the PDP's banner in 2019 and 2023. His decision to join the APC in the past has been a contentious issue.
The Broader Political Context
The recent defections from the PDP to the APC, led by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, ex-governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and others, have shifted the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. This wave of defections, dubbed a “political tsunami” by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has drawn scrutiny and criticism from various quarters.
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Adams Oshiomhole and Atiku Abubakar's lengthy political histories, marked by party affiliations and controversies, serve as a testament to the fluidity of Nigeria's political allegiances and the frequent moral scrutiny levied upon defections. Oshiomhole's rebranding efforts and Atiku's resilience highlight the divisive nature of politics in Nigeria, with Oshiomhole questioning Atiku's moral standing after years of party-switching.
- During the 28th Founders' Day Lecture of the Independent Television and Radio, Adams Oshiomhole criticized Atiku Abubakar, stating that he has no moral high ground to condemn political defections due to his history of party-switching.
- Oshiomhole served as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governed Edo State from 2008-2016, and in a fiery statement, he called out Atiku for his repeated party-switching, citing his multiple failed attempts at gaining the presidency following his defections.
- Atiku Abubakar, who remains synonymous with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite his party-hopping history, served as vice president from 1999-2007 and ran for the presidency under the PDP's banner in 2019 and 2023.
- The recent defections from the PDP to the APC, led by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, ex-governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and others, have shifted the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections and drawn scrutiny and criticism from various quarters.
- This wave of defections, dubbed a “political tsunami” by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has highlighted the divisive nature of politics in Nigeria, with Oshiomhole questioning Atiku's moral standing after years of party-switching.
- In Lagos, politicians continue to make headlines as some have chosen to decamp from their previous parties, with high-profile individuals such as Atiku and Delta State Governor Okowa making major moves in the federal political landscape.
- Despite the criticism and scrutiny, some politicians are not deterred from making shifts in political alliances, with ally collaboration between Atiku and Peter Obi being explored ahead of the 2027 election.
- Oshiomhole's remarks emphasize the complexity of the Nigeria's political sphere, with politicians often finding themselves under the microscope for their actions and party affiliations in policy-and-legislation, elections, and general news.
