Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a blistering attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing his administration of being “rooted in forgery, deceit, and moral bankruptcy.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Atiku said the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has exposed what he called a “deep moral crisis” within the Tinubu government.
According to Atiku, Nnaji’s resignation amid allegations of certificate forgery is a desperate move to “whitewash a national disgrace,” arguing that the former minister should have been dismissed and prosecuted rather than “quietly exiting through the back door.”
“What should ordinarily be a matter of national shame is now being disguised as a ‘voluntary resignation,’ an attempt to whitewash yet another scandal that typifies the forgery-ridden character of this government,” Atiku said.
He also criticised the Department of State Services (DSS) for its alleged failure to properly vet Nnaji during ministerial screening, describing the oversight as “a national embarrassment.”
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“The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national disgrace. Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world,” he added.
Atiku linked the scandal to President Tinubu’s own controversial history, citing unresolved questions about his identity, age, and academic qualifications.
“The man who occupies the office of president has for decades been enmeshed in controversies surrounding his identity, age, and academic records. From the Chicago State University saga to multiple contradictory claims under oath, the world has seen ample evidence that Nigeria today is led by a man who himself has been unable to credibly defend the authenticity of his own certificates,” Atiku said.
The former vice president alleged that Tinubu’s personal history has “institutionalised falsehood and deception” in government, warning that such a trend erodes public trust and moral integrity in leadership.
“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance,” he said.
Atiku therefore called for an independent and transparent probe into the academic and professional records of all cabinet members, starting with President Tinubu himself.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources,” he stated.
Egalitarian Voice will continue to follow reactions and official responses to Atiku’s explosive remarks and the growing controversy surrounding Nnaji’s resignation.
