* Says It is the last kick of a dying horse
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The presidency has dared former Vice President and candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to go to court over his claim that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old.
The presidency has equally described the claim as the “last kick of a dying horse”.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Temitope Ajayi, while responding to Atiku’s claim at the weekend, described former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s claim that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old as the “last kick of a dying horse”.
Ajayi, while reacting to a statement by Atiku in a BBC interview in which he alleged that President Tinubu is 90 years old, dismissed the claim as part of Atiku’s desperation to become president.
Atiku had said he had evidence to support his claim about Tinubu’s age and would present the evidence in court.
Ajayi, while speaking on the issue late Saturday, said Atiku’s claim was driven by desperation to become president of Nigeria.
His words, “For former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, this is the last kick of a dying horse. He will stop at nothing in his desperation for the presidency of Nigeria.
“He is racing against time in his quest for the fulfilment of his marabouts’ prophecy,” he said.
Ajayi questioned Atiku’s focus on President Tinubu’s personal life, arguing that it was inconsistent with the former vice-president’s stated intention to campaign on issues affecting Nigerians.
According to him, “We are at a loss as to why a man who said he wants to run his campaign on issues that affect the lives of Nigerians has reduced his chance of ever realising his elusive ambition to the personal life of President Tinubu”, he said.
He described the claim that Tinubu is 90 years old as ridiculous, accusing Atiku of making statements without sufficient basis in an attempt to revive what he described as a failing campaign.
“It is ridiculous to claim President Tinubu is 90 years old. Alhaji Atiku wakes up every day to just say whatever comes to his mouth with the hope that his failing campaign will gain traction,” Ajayi said.
The presidential aide also accused Atiku of resorting to personal attacks against Tinubu in an attempt to draw attention to his campaign after failing to convince Nigerians about his position on fuel subsidy.
According to him, Atiku had become “incoherent and flip-flopping on policy issues” while offering different explanations for his proposal to restore fuel subsidy.
“When he could not convince Nigerians on the soundness and workability of his new fuel subsidy prescription, the only way he hopes to remain in the news cycle and keep his floundering campaign alive is to increase the volume of personal attacks on the president,” Ajayi said.
Continuing, he said, “Let him (Atiku) go to court to present the evidence that President Tinubu is 90 years old.
“He has failed everywhere against President Tinubu, moving from court to court. He failed in his numerous court cases against President Tinubu in the United States and Nigeria in the last election cycle.
“He will fail again this time around,” Ajayi said.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
