BREAKING: Tinubu Responds to Atiku's Resignation Call, Sends Notable Message to Ex-VP

• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has quashed criticism from a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, regarding Nigeria's security challenges
• In a statement by a key aide of Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, the president said the comments by the former VP showed he was still nursing a "hangover" from his electoral defeat in 2023
• The rebuttal came after Atiku accused Tinubu of "fiddling" while the country battled security and economic problems

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 6-year-experience covering politics.

FCT, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday night, January 30, criticised one of his major rivals, Atiku Abubakar, for asking him to step aside if the presidency shoe was too big for him.

Tinubu, who described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain's call as "reckless", said he is "on top of the situation in the country".

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The statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu's special adviser on information and strategy, and obtained by Legit.ng.

President Tinubu is currently in Paris, France, for a private visit. He departed Abuja on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, and is scheduled to return to Nigeria in the first week of February.

Tinubu's statement partly reads:

"Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s statement accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of fiddling amidst some security and economic challenges is to say the least, reckless.

"We like to believe that Alhaji Atiku is still not nursing hangover of his electoral defeat and now latches on any issue to attack President Tinubu.

"President Tinubu did not travel without informing Nigerians of his whereabouts.

"While in France, President Tinubu has been following developments at home and he is on top of the situation in the country."

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What to know about President Tinubu:

• Tinubu told to cut short private Paris trip, return to Nigeria, reason emerges
• Tinubu having sleepless nights, key minister discloses, shares why
• AFCON 2023: Tinubu watches Nigeria Vs Cameroon match, celebrates Super Eagles win, video trends

PDP, LP question Tinubu's France private visit

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party reacted to President Tinubu's private visit to Paris, France.

The PDP deputy national publicity secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said it was the worst time for President Tinubu to embark on a foreign trip.

On the other hand, the Labour Party spokesman for the 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, said there was a hidden agenda for the trip.

Source: Legit.ng