Presidency tackles Atiku over claim Tinubu is 90

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has dismissed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s claim that the President is 90 years old.

Ajayi described the allegation as the “last kick of a dying horse” and accused Atiku of making the claim out of desperation to become president.

The presidential aide was reacting to comments by Atiku during a BBC interview, in which the former vice-president claimed to have evidence showing that Tinubu is 90 years old.

Atiku had said he would present the evidence in court.

Reacting in an interview with Saturday Tribune on Friday, Ajayi said Atiku’s focus on Tinubu’s age and personal life was inconsistent with his stated intention to campaign on issues affecting Nigerians.

“For former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, this is the last kick of a dying horse. He will stop at nothing in his desperation for the presidency of Nigeria,” Ajayi said.

He added that Atiku was “racing against time in his quest for the fulfilment of his marabouts’ prophecy.”

Ajayi questioned why Atiku, who had said he intended to base his campaign on issues affecting Nigerians, had allegedly shifted his attention to Tinubu’s personal life.

“We are at a loss as to why a man who said he wants to run his campaign on issues that affect the lives of Nigerians has reduced his chance of ever realising his elusive ambition to the personal life of President Tinubu,” he said.

The presidential aide described the claim that Tinubu is 90 as ridiculous, accusing Atiku of making statements aimed at attracting attention to what he called a failing campaign.

“It is ridiculous to claim President Tinubu is 90 years old. Alhaji Atiku wakes up every day to just say whatever comes to his mouth with the hope that his failing campaign will gain traction,” Ajayi said.

He also accused Atiku of resorting to personal attacks after allegedly failing to convince Nigerians about his position on fuel subsidy.

According to Ajayi, the former vice-president had become “incoherent and flip-flopping on policy issues” while offering different explanations for his proposal to restore fuel subsidy.

He said Atiku’s latest comments were an attempt to remain in the news and sustain his campaign after failing to convince Nigerians about the feasibility of his proposed subsidy policy.

“When he could not convince Nigerians of the soundness and workability of his new fuel subsidy prescription, the only way he hopes to remain in the news cycle and keep his floundering campaign alive is to increase the volume of personal attacks on the president,” Ajayi said.

The presidential aide challenged Atiku to take his claim to court and present whatever evidence he says he has.

“Let him go to court to present the evidence that President Tinubu is 90 years old. He has failed everywhere against President Tinubu, moving from court to court,” Ajayi said.

He further claimed that Atiku had failed in previous legal challenges involving Tinubu in the United States and Nigeria and would fail again.

“He failed in his numerous court cases against President Tinubu in the United States and Nigeria in the last election cycle. He will fail again this time around,” he added.