Atiku, speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, expressed confidence that a coalition-backed candidate would defeat the current administration.
“With a coalition candidate, the President is dead on arrival. Everything is wrong with Tinubu. I’ve not seen a government that is as bad as that of Tinubu,” he said.
The former vice-president, now a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also criticised the government’s handling of the economy and overall governance.
“Tinubu has been a very bad president, to be honest with you. I didn’t expect that from him… the way he governs the country, whether economically or otherwise, it’s a disappointment,” Atiku added.
Responding via a post on X, Bwala, who previously served as Atiku’s spokesperson, dismissed the remarks and questioned his former principal’s political influence.
“My former boss @atiku said ‘with a coalition candidate, President Tinubu @officialABAT is dead on arrival.’ Lol. But we know you are the coalition candidate. YET (no vex sir), he defeated you in 2023 when you had governors, states, and structures,” Bwala said.
He further argued that the opposition coalition lacks the necessary grassroots strength to pose a serious challenge to the ruling party.
“These governors, states and structures are with him. With a coalition of aggrieved ‘STATELESS’ leaders, I doubt if President Tinubu would bother to check the scoreboard on the day,” he added.