President Bola Tinubu on Thursday took a direct swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), during a meeting with Northeast stakeholders at the presidential villa in Abuja. The stakeholders visited to thank Tinubu for re-nominating Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu Highlights Pension Arrears
Speaking at the gathering, which included pensioners among the attendees, Tinubu drew a sharp contrast between his administration's welfare commitments and what he described as the financial mess left behind by political opponents. He said, "Nigerians are not asking for too much. Simple stability and social welfare, and among the visitors today are some pensioners. I hope you're receiving your pension."
Tinubu then turned openly political, appearing to direct his remarks at Atiku without naming him. "If I can go political, somebody among my prospective opponents privatised government investment in public entities but forgot to pay the pension. I'm clearing the pensioners now, so clearing the mess they created," he added.
Northeast Stakeholders Show Support
The gathering was convened following Tinubu's re-nomination of Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, as his vice-presidential running mate ahead of the 2027 elections. Northeast leaders travelled to express solidarity with the President and endorse the pairing. Tinubu used the occasion to present himself as a candidate focused on resolving inherited welfare shortfalls, particularly for retired civil servants who he said had gone unpaid under previous administrations.
Peter Obi, who resigned from the ADC on 2 May 2026, was ratified as the presidential candidate of the NDC on 29 May 2026, leaving Atiku as the ADC's flagbearer going into the 2027 contest. The video of Tinubu's remarks trended on social media, with many interpreting his comments as a direct criticism of Atiku's record as a former privatisation czar under the Obasanjo administration.
According to the report by Legit.ng, authored by Politics and Current Affairs Editor Bada Yusuf, the President's comments underscore the growing political tension ahead of the 2027 presidential race. Tinubu's administration has been working to clear outstanding pension liabilities, which he claims were neglected by previous governments.
