Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Inciting Violence, Wants Him on Watch List

Strategic Insights -

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, has accused Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, of making comments that could incite violence and disrupt the 2023 presidential election. Tinubu had said in a viral video that political power is not served in a restaurant and that his supporters should "fight for" and "grab" it. The PDP's reaction came as the party accused Tinubu of perceiving the 2023 election as a war and of being behind attacks on their campaign rallies and INEC facilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Atiku Abubakar has accused Bola Ahmed Tinubu of inciting violence and disrupting the 2023 presidential election through his comments.
  • Tinubu's viral video where he said "political power is not going to be served in a restaurant" was cited as evidence of his alleged incitement.
  • The PDP has accused Tinubu of being behind attacks on their campaign rallies and INEC facilities.
  • The party has also accused Tinubu of perceiving the 2023 election as a war.
  • The PDP's national publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, condemned Tinubu's comments, saying they were "instigating electoral violence."
  • The PDP has charged security agencies to monitor the activities of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign due to its proclivity to violence.
  • The party has also appealed to Nigerians to be resolute in their determination to vote for Atiku Abubakar and to reject any attempt to disrupt the election.

Statistics:

  • At least two viral videos of Tinubu making inciting comments have been widely shared on social media.
  • The PDP has accused Tinubu's campaign of being behind attacks on their election rallies and INEC facilities.
  • The party's national publicity secretary said that in 2019, APC supporters in Lagos threatened to throw people who didn't vote for them into the lagoon.
  • The party also recalled how APC supporters unleashed terror on voters in Ejigbo, Okota, and FESTAC.
  • The PDP has installed billboards in over 80% of states, but some APC-controlled states have refused to allow them to install their posters.

Sources:

  • "Atiku Commends Nigerians for Being Resolute," by Kola Ologbondiyan for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization
  • "PDP Accuses APC Presidential Candidate of Perceiving 2023 Election as a War," by Hon Debo Ologunagba for the Peoples Democratic Party
  • "National Election Management Committee of PDP Director, Strategic Communications, Chief Dele Momodu, Laments Refusal of APC-Controlled States to Allow PDP Install Billboards," by Chief Dele Momodu for the National Election Management Committee of PDP