By SUNTV Global Channel
August 9, 2026
Politics | Nigeria
ABUJA, Nigeria — Paul Ibe, media adviser to African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of sustaining what he described as a campaign of “lies, political manipulation and orchestrated deceit” against his former deputy for more than two decades.
Ibe made the accusation in a statement issued in response to a recent claim by Obasanjo that Atiku had mobilised the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to move against him during their time in office between 1999 and 2007.
The aide dismissed the allegation as baseless, noting that Na’Abba, who died in December 2023, could no longer respond to the claim.
Ibe said Obasanjo had repeatedly revived allegations of corruption, betrayal and political misconduct against Atiku, particularly during election periods.
He described the latest allegation as part of a longstanding political campaign against the former vice president.
According to Ibe, former House of Representatives Chief Whip, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, who was involved in the politics of the period, had contradicted the claim that Na’Abba sought to remove Obasanjo from office.
Ibe said Bwari maintained that Na’Abba never sought Obasanjo’s removal and that Atiku instead acted as an envoy for the former president during discussions with lawmakers.
The ADC presidential candidate’s media adviser also rejected accounts that Obasanjo had knelt before Atiku to secure his support for a second presidential term in 2003.
Ibe referenced a video involving former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu, who reportedly stated that Atiku was the one who appealed to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to support Obasanjo’s re-election.
According to Ibe, Kalu said Atiku had refused to betray Obasanjo despite having the backing of several governors who were reportedly considering replacing the former president with his deputy.
Ibe also revisited the controversy surrounding the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) ahead of the 2007 presidential election.
He said Obasanjo had written to the Senate requesting an investigation into Atiku over allegations concerning the handling of PTDF funds.
According to Ibe, Atiku temporarily waived his immunity to appear before the investigation and maintained that the funds remained secured in fixed deposit accounts.
Ibe claimed that Atiku viewed the allegations as politically motivated and linked to his opposition to Obasanjo’s reported ambition to seek a third term in office.
The aide further referred to the autobiography of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, titled Awujale, alleging that the former monarch documented claims concerning the use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), then headed by Nuhu Ribadu, against businessman Mike Adenuga in connection with the PTDF controversy.
Ibe maintained that the allegations and political controversies surrounding Atiku over the years were being revived as part of efforts to undermine his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The latest exchange has added another layer to the growing political contest surrounding Atiku, Obasanjo and the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that the allegations and claims contained in this report are attributed to Paul Ibe and represent his response to statements credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Published: August 9, 2026
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