By Stella Odueme
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on President Bola Tinubu’s campaign strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying he lacks the mandate to speak for Nigerians on the administration’s policies.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had questioned Tinubu’s decision to limit his campaign rallies to 12 states to allow him more time to focus on governance.
However, TMSG described Atiku’s criticism as an unnecessary preoccupation with the President, arguing that it would not improve the ADC’s electoral prospects.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said it was not surprised by Atiku’s reaction to the President’s campaign schedule.
According to TMSG, the former Vice President’s claim that Tinubu was reluctant to engage Nigerians directly on his administration’s performance was unfounded.
The group maintained that the President had remained accountable to Nigerians and had continued to communicate his administration’s policies and achievements since assuming office.
It said Atiku was not in a position to speak authoritatively for the electorate, citing his repeated defeats in presidential elections.
TMSG also questioned why the opposition had taken issue with Tinubu’s decision to balance campaign activities with governance, arguing that the same critics would have accused him of neglecting his responsibilities if he had opted to attend rallies across all states.
The group further expressed confidence that Tinubu’s performance across various sectors would earn him a second term in office.
It cited the administration’s economic reforms, which it said had helped stabilise the economy and put the country on a path of growth.
TMSG also pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying more than 1.5 million beneficiaries and their families could support the President at the polls.
The group also referenced the payment of N21 billion in severance benefits to former Nigeria Airways workers, noting that the beneficiaries had waited more than two decades for their entitlements.
It blamed the delay on a previous administration in which Atiku served as Vice President, saying the workers were disengaged without receiving their benefits.
Other initiatives cited by the group included tax reliefs for low-income earners and small businesses with annual turnover of up to N100 million, as well as free caesarean section and dialysis services in selected hospitals.
According to TMSG, beneficiaries of these programmes would make their electoral choices based on their experiences rather than relying on Atiku or his media aides to determine how they should vote.
The group also argued that Nigerians who had benefited from the administration’s policies would not be swayed by promises to restore fuel subsidy.
It added that Atiku should focus on addressing challenges within his own campaign instead of criticising Tinubu’s strategy.
TMSG also questioned the ADC candidate’s proposed production subsidy initiative, saying that weeks after details of the plan were announced, the former Vice President and his team had yet to provide a comprehensive explanation of how it would work or improve the economy.
The group described the proposal as vague and accused the opposition of using promises of fuel subsidy restoration to appeal to voters ahead of the 2027 election.