Renowned media czar and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has hit back at the Presidency over what he described as shades of deceptive media strategies carefully devised to malign the reputation of former Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubarkar, and lower his rating amongst right thinking citizens of Nigeria, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Eze insisted that the Presidency was deliberately ignorant of who the former Vice President is in Africa.
He lashed out at the presidency for trying to spin out false narratives against Atiku, whom according to him was a man seen by many as one of Nigeria’s most detribalised nationalists, and a cerebral democrat to the core whose political dynasty spans all tribes in Nigeria.
“Even President Bola Tinubu knows that his men are dwelling on woeful propaganda and a deceitful smear campaign against a man he (Tinubu) has hailed in several fora as a true Nigerian democrat and pillar of democracy in Africa.
“If for the sake of scoring cheap political goal, the Presidency tries to portray Atiku, one of Nigeria’s finest politicians and a political Colossus of all times as a sectional leader, what then becomes of Tinubu, their paymaster, who has carved a niche for himself as Nigeria’s number one ethnic bigot and nepotistic President, Eze queried.
“The truth is that majority of Nigerians know between Tinubu and Atiku, who is a sectional leader. So, trying to twist an obvious fact of Tinubu being a habitual sectional leader is a case of pot calling kettle black” Eze said.
In a statement issued to rebuff a press release ascribed to one misguided and faceless media rookie consultant, Kola Johnson, who erroneously quoted Atiku thus: “I count myself extremely lucky indeed to have had a wife from amongst this noble species of the human race, which by this token implies that the bond uniting me together with the Yoruba is aptly like the genetic bond of a family” And based on this bond the Yoruba, whether individually or collectively, have always occupied a special place in my heart and that if elected, the South-West would be central to his policymaking”, Eze said it smacks of an effort to misrepresent the values of Statesmanship which the former vice president holds dearly.
Eze said the undeniable fact that Atiku married his first wife, Titi, from the Yoruba race, doesn’t in any way change the former Vice President from the detribalized leader and nationalist he has always been.
He said the plot by the administration of Tinubu to robe Atiku in a vague tribal apparel will not have any effect as Nigerians know already that it is Mr Tinubu that is a tribal bigot and unapologetic ethnic jingoist, having his tribe unfairly favoured in all appointments and thus killing the essence true spirit of federal character, which is at the core of what holds Nigerians together as a nation.
“Such ethnocentrism and dangerous bigotry will not arise in Atiku’s Presidency”, Eze said.
“As much as it is a fact that Atiku married his first wife, Titi from the Yoruba race; and knowing how Titi has struggled with Atiku in building his socioeconomic and political empire doesn’t in any way make the former Vice President of Nigeria to change from his nationalist disposition to allowing only the Yorubas to be central in all his policies to the detriment of other regions of this country if elected the President of Nigeria come 2027.
“This plot by the administration of Tinubu to portray Atiku in a borrowed robe of becoming a tribalistic leader like Tinubu, who has to appoint 95 percent of his key ministers, political appointees and aides from one particular State and region will not be the case of Atiku.
“Having known Atiku for over thirty years right from our days in Adamawa, he has proven that he is a nationalist who considers all Nigerian as one body not minding the tribe or religion you come from or practice, Eze said.
The former member of the APC Legacy Media Team disclosed that while as the Vice President of Nigeria, all of Atiku’s appointments reflected all the sections of this country; even today, his personal physician, Dr. Azubike Ndukwu, an Igbo man has been with him for over thirty years or so.
Eze reiterated that for Tinubu and his aides to resort to sponsoring characters like Kola to write unauthorized press statements, “is shameful, unpatriotic, demeaning and a national embarrassment”.
“No matter the amount of falsehood being peddled in the public space, Tinubu, the Presidency and Nigerians know that Atiku is an institution, a detribalised nationalist, who abhors nepotism, a hallmark of this present administration.
“A million and one beer parlour, or rather armchair press releases will not change the obvious fact that Atiku is a true nationalist to the core”, he posited.
Chief Eze finally cautioned Tinubu and his bootlickers in the media space against the gale of unwarranted attacks and sponsored blackmail against perceived individuals whose interests poses grave threat to his alleged return in 2027.
“Such individuals like former President Jonathan; former Governor Amaechi, former Governor Obi and others are committed to projecting a common front to redeem our deteriorating economy, rebuild our wobbling health system, rebuild critical infrastructure and restore, tackle corruption and restore public confidence in government. And this will happen from 2027 with a new government.
“Instead of wasting time and energy plotting the fall of any of these notable Nigerians, Tinubu should concern himself more about doing the little he can to repair the things he has spoilt particularly, the image of Nigeria in the international scene so that the next government that will be inaugurated in 2027 can focus on some for important areas as the rot he has created has made a mess of Nigeria as a sovereign nation, Eze stated.
He said though he is not a fan of Jonathan or a supporter of his political interest, it is however laughable to hear Tinubu and his government that has run the economy aground and instituted corruption as a policy in Nigeria accuse Jonathan of abysmal record. Under Tinubu, a Minister is alleged of various economic crimes both home and abroad, but the Presidency keeps mum and watches helplessly.
“These needless excuses will be part of Tinubu’s biggest obstacle in 2027.
“Truth be told, Tinubu and his men are jittery of what the future holds for them come 2027.
“Attacking perceived political foes, critics and opposition forces will not deter Nigerians from sacking his administration.
“Rather than lead Nigeria aright, Tinubu preoccupied himself with his re-election ambition, a mistake that appears costly, and has caused much harm to Nigeria and Nigerians.
“No matter the odds, come 2027, I advise Tinubu and his men to -rather than wasting their time plotting on a task that is unachievable- start planning on how to formally relocate to Lagos State and allow genuine and patriotic Nigerians to find a way of rebuilding the country from its present sordid state, the APC Chieftain stated.
