Atiku’s interview, a disaster; ambition dead on arrival — Sunday Dare

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has criticised former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, over his recent interview on Arise Television, describing it as a “disaster.”

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In a statement issued on Thursday, Dare said Atiku’s television appearance lacked substance and failed to demonstrate leadership or policy direction.

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“Atiku Abubakar’s latest television outing didn’t cover him in glory — it was a disaster, an unraveling broadcast in real time,” he said.

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“What Nigerians witnessed was not leadership, not vision, and certainly not readiness for office. It was a disjointed, self-indulgent performance marked by contradictions, bluster, and a startling absence of substance on matters of national importance.”

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Dare argued that Atiku failed to provide a credible alternative to the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly at a time the government is implementing economic reforms.

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“At a time when the country is undergoing difficult but necessary economic reforms, Atiku offered nothing resembling a credible alternative. When pressed for policy direction, there was none. No framework, no roadmap — just the familiar refrain of opposition for its own sake,” he said.

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He further accused the former vice-president of focusing on personal ambition rather than national development.

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“Strip away the rhetoric, and one thing becomes clear: the only discernible agenda is personal ambition,” Dare added.

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The presidential aide also faulted Atiku’s criticism of government reforms, saying it lacked depth and clarity.

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“Criticism without substance is not leadership — it is evasion. And in a moment that demanded clarity and depth, what Nigerians got was vagueness and deflection,” he said.

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Dare further claimed that Atiku’s remarks alienated key constituencies.

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“In one sweep, he managed to alienate nearly every constituency — young people, political allies, and even figures within his own broader political history. It was not a message of unity or coalition-building; it was a monologue of grievance,” he said.

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He concluded that the interview reinforced doubts about Atiku’s leadership credentials.

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“For many Nigerians, that interview settled any lingering doubts. It was not just unconvincing — it was disqualifying. Atiku Abubakar is not being denied relevance. He is losing it — publicly, steadily, and now unmistakably.”

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