Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claim that the president is 90 years old, describing it as the “last kick of a dying horse”.
Ajayi was reacting to comments made by Atiku during a BBC interview, where the former vice president alleged that Tinubu is 90 years old and said he had evidence to prove the claim in court.
Speaking to the Saturday Tribune on Friday, Ajayi accused Atiku of desperation in his bid to become president.
“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 why Atiku, who had previously said he intended to campaign on issues affecting Nigerians, was focusing on Tinubu’s personal life.
“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,” the presidential aide said.
“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.”
The presidential aide also accused Atiku of resorting to personal attacks against Tinubu after failing to convince Nigerians over his position on fuel subsidy.
According to Ajayi, Atiku had become “incoherent and flip-flopping on policy issues” while giving varying explanations regarding his proposal to restore fuel subsidy.
“When he could not convince Nigerians of 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.
Ajayi challenged Atiku to present his alleged evidence in court, saying the former vice president had repeatedly failed in legal challenges against Tinubu.
“Let him 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.”
