Former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has criticised African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over his comments on President Bola Tinubu’s three week working vacation in Europe.
Abati described Atiku’s criticism as “quite embarrassing”, arguing that the questions raised by the former Vice President’s camp appeared insufficiently researched.
He made the comments on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday while reacting to growing concerns over Tinubu’s decision to spend three weeks outside Nigeria.
Atiku had on Sunday criticised the President’s absence from the country amid worsening economic hardship, describing it as a disturbing vacuum in political leadership.
However, Abati defended Tinubu’s decision to travel, saying the President was entitled to leave the country as long as his absence remained within the constitutional limit.
“The Atiku group is also raising questions that are embarrassing and have not been properly researched.
“Okay, let me address that very quickly. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has now gone on what they call a working vacation for three weeks, which he is entitled to,” Abati said.
The former presidential aide maintained that the President could travel to any destination of his choice provided his absence did not exceed the constitutional threshold that would require him to formally transfer power.
Abati’s comments come amid heightened political exchanges between the Tinubu administration and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku increasingly challenging the government over its handling of the economy and governance.
