Mohammed Atiku-Abubakar, a son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has responded to the attack on his father by Shamsudeen Mohammed, a son of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

Shamsudeen had stated that Atiku failed to support his father and worked against him in the 2023 general elections in Bauchi.

Shamsudeen said this in response to a post on X asking if his father would join a coalition involving Atiku ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He explained that Atiku undermined his father’s 2023 re-election campaign by backing the opposition and mobilizing influential Bauchi figures against him.

He wrote, “Honestly, it would be difficult. Because even if he wins, there’s nothing he would do for us except settle old scores. He didn’t support us in 2023—he backed the APC candidate and used Bauchi elites to oppose us.

"We barely survived it. He’s made it clear he doesn’t value us enough to engage in dialogue.”

In response, Atiku' son stated on Monday that his father had never enjoyed Shamsudeen’s father’s support in his bid for the presidency, saying: “The only difference now is that Shamsu has removed the mask and now we do not have to worry about the feigned impression of any support from his father.”

This was a she accused Bala Mohammed's son of arrogance and exaggerated sense of relevance.

He added, “Let it be known to Shamsu that never has Atiku dissipated an ounce of energy towards his father's political travails. This is simply because Atiku’s politics transcends such shenanigans, and he has consistently remained above the bar. Moreover, whatever conflict Bala Muhammed may have had with politicians in Bauchi, in the lead to the 2023 elections, had nothing to do with Atiku Abubakar. It was purely a local affair.

“Let me re-emphasise that at no point has Shamsu’s father ever supported Atiku Abubakar in his political career.

“On the contrary, the ignoble role his father played in 2023, where he clandestinely worked against the presidential candidate of his party, is still fresh in Nigerians’ memory.

“In case Shamsu has been off the news reel, we wish to refer him to a recent remark by his father's political mentor, the Minister of FCT, Nysome Wike, who revealed how the Bauchi State Governor orchestrated plans to ensure that Atiku did not win in the 2023 election.

“It is noteworthy to mention that Governor Bala Mohammed’s presidential ambition is the reason for his poor management of the PDP Governors Forum, where he couldn’t command the respect and control of his colleagues. We are also not unaware of his secret hobnobbing with Tinubu’s Government.

“Let me conclude by telling my brother, Shamsu, that the focus of every patriotic Nigerian should be on promoting political discourse that advances our dear country, Nigeria, not on needless rantings.”

ASA