Dr Sam Amadi, a director at the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, says it is not wrong for presidential candidates Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar to scrutinise each other’s criminal or public service histories ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election.
Amadi frames the practice as a normal part of political contests, saying politics should not be “over-sanitised” so that parties avoid discussing issues of character and competence. He argues that leadership outcomes depend not only on policy, but also on the integrity and effectiveness of those leading.
The outlets note that the comments come amid a growing war of words between the two candidates. Atiku has levelled multiple allegations against Tinubu, including claims that Tinubu is about 90 years old and accusations involving past allegations tied to illegal substances in the United States, according to the reports. In response, the Tinubu administration has revived corruption allegations against Atiku, particularly from his time as vice president. Both outlets present Amadi’s view as separate from the underlying accusations, describing them as part of ongoing political exchanges.
