Publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of weaponising the recent withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs, alleging that the policy is politically motivated and aimed at weakening former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement shared on his verified X handle, Momodu said he “immediately smelled a rat” when the directive was announced. He claimed that presidential aides first circulated a “dummy list” of affected personalities to gauge public reaction, insisting that the list was deliberately padded with unlikely names such as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former First Lady Aisha Buhari, and Atiku Abubakar—who, he noted, is constitutionally entitled to security as a former vice president.
Momodu argued that the swift disowning of the list confirmed his suspicions, saying his assessment was based on his “deep knowledge of Tinubu’s antics, mindset and modus operandi.” He criticised the policy as reckless, warning that it exposes high-profile Nigerians to grave danger in an already insecure climate.
According to him, rather than enhancing safety, the administration is “setting up the poor against the accomplished,” and attempting to portray VIPs who require security as undeserving. He described the directive as “dangerous,” “unprecedented,” and “preposterously myopic.”
Momodu also alleged that the move is part of a broader strategy to weaken political opponents ahead of future elections. He claimed that denying Atiku and other strong opposition figures adequate security would make it difficult for them to campaign freely in a country battling widespread insecurity.
“Their next move is to ensure that the Atikus who can provide robust opposition to his ambition of a maximum rulership must be denied security. Who will dare go out to campaign against him in this season of anomie?” he wrote.
Momodu concluded with a stark warning, saying Nigeria is being led “to Golgotha,” and accusing the president of “playing politics with everything,” including the safety of citizens.
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