Former Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that political leaders should be subjected to the same standards of scrutiny and accountability.
Olowofela made the remarks in an opinion piece titled “Saint Atiku vs Sinner Tinubu,” in which he questioned what he described as selective morality in the political debate surrounding the two politicians.
He argued that controversies surrounding Tinubu, including an alleged forfeiture of $460,000 in the United States decades ago, should not automatically define the President’s entire political career. Olowofela said Nigerians could condemn wrongdoing while still assessing leaders based on their broader records and conduct.
The former commissioner then turned his attention to controversies that have previously involved Atiku, including financial transactions associated with his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, which were examined during a US Senate investigation.
Olowofela acknowledged that the transactions attracted scrutiny but pointed out that Atiku was not formally charged, indicted or prosecuted by US authorities over the matter.
He also raised questions about historical records linked to Atiku’s names and educational certificates. According to Olowofela, Atiku’s primary school records reportedly carried the name Atiku Kojoli, while his 1965 secondary school certificate bore the name Siddiq Abubakar. He said the names were later regularised through a magistrate court proceeding in Apapa, Lagos, in 1973.
Olowofela further referred to allegations made by Nigerian senators in 2007 concerning the alleged diversion of more than $100 million in public funds. He noted that Atiku had rejected such accusations, describing them as politically motivated.
The former commissioner also cited criticisms of Atiku contained in former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s book, My Watch. He argued that the political conversation should not portray one politician as completely virtuous while treating another as permanently guilty.
According to Olowofela, allegations should be distinguished from established facts, while public officials must remain open to scrutiny regardless of their political affiliations or ambitions.
He maintained that Nigerians have every right to question Tinubu’s record and demand accountability, but insisted that the same level of scrutiny should be applied to Atiku and other political actors.
Olowofela ultimately called for a more consistent approach to political accountability, particularly as politicians position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
