By Gabriel Ameh
The Democratic Front (TDF) has criticised former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for demanding explanations from President Bola Tinubu over a US civil forfeiture case dating back about three decades.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo, the group accused Atiku of attempting to shift the focus of the 2027 election debate from policies and governance to personal issues.
TDF said Atiku’s recent criticism of the Tinubu administration over fuel subsidy issues had suggested a willingness to engage in issue-based debate, but argued that his demand for an explanation over the old US forfeiture case represented a departure from that approach.
The group questioned why Atiku would demand an explanation from President Tinubu over a case it described as a civil forfeiture proceeding rather than a criminal prosecution.
According to TDF, the US case involved the forfeiture of $460,000 and did not result in a criminal indictment of Tinubu.
The group argued that the nature of the proceeding was important, stating that the case was treated as an in rem civil forfeiture matter, meaning the property involved was the subject of the proceeding rather than the individual.
TDF therefore questioned the basis for Atiku’s demand for an explanation from Tinubu over the matter.
The group, however, said Atiku should instead address what it described as unresolved questions surrounding allegations of suspicious financial transfers involving his former wife, Jennifer Douglas.
TDF alleged that about $40 million was transferred in various tranches into accounts linked to Douglas between 2000 and 2008 and claimed that the matter had attracted scrutiny in the United States.
The group urged Atiku to provide his own account of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the reported financial transactions.
TDF also referenced claims concerning an investigation by a US Senate subcommittee and allegations involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while urging the former vice president to address the issues publicly.
The group said Nigerians deserved transparency from political leaders, particularly as political parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 elections.
“We therefore call on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to come clean on the circumstances surrounding the American Senate sub-committee investigation into the alleged transfer of funds into his wife’s account,” TDF said.
The group maintained that political campaigns should focus primarily on policies, governance records, accountability and the issues affecting Nigerians.
TDF concluded by urging Atiku to “come to equity with clean hands” before demanding explanations from President Tinubu over the historical US civil forfeiture case.
