Atiku’s Campaign and the ‘Skelewu’ Debate: Claims, Counterclaims and Context

When Nigerian politics starts dancing again

Some political arguments in Nigeria never really disappear. They simply wait for another election cycle.

The word “Skelewu”, which entered Nigeria’s political vocabulary during the bitter exchanges surrounding the 2023 presidential election, has resurfaced in political rhetoric involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, his media adviser Paul Ibe and Lagos State APC spokesman Seye Oladejo.

ValidViewNetwork gathered that the expression became political shorthand after Atiku and PDP supporters protested at INEC headquarters in Abuja in March 2023.

Then President-elect Bola Tinubu and his campaign spokesman Bayo Onanuga mocked the protest by referring to “Skelewu”, the dance associated with Davido’s hit song.

The expression has since been used in political commentary surrounding opposition activity.

What the new argument is about

The latest dispute forms part of the broader political argument over Atiku’s 2027 project, the ADC opposition platform and criticism of the Tinubu administration.

Oladejo has repeatedly criticised Atiku and the opposition coalition, while Atiku’s camp has defended the former vice-president’s criticisms of the administration.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the disagreement is not simply about the word “Skelewu”. It reflects competing political narratives over governance, democracy and opposition politics.

Atiku’s camp has argued that the Tinubu administration has weakened democratic space and placed pressure on opposition parties.

Oladejo and the APC have rejected those claims.

In January 2026, for example, APC representatives responded to Atiku’s claims that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat, insisting that democratic institutions remained functional.

In another exchange, Oladejo criticised Atiku’s political realignment and described the opposition’s strategy in sharply political terms.

The competing claims should remain attributed to the politicians making them.

Atiku, ADC and the 2027 contest

Atiku is operating under the African Democratic Congress platform as opposition figures work toward a broader political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.

His media adviser, Paul Ibe, has been a prominent defender of the former vice-president’s political positions.

Ibe has also previously confirmed political discussions involving Atiku and other opposition figures. In May 2024, for example, Ibe confirmed that Atiku and Peter Obi had met privately and said the meeting lasted about 20 minutes.

More recently, Ibe has continued to defend Atiku’s criticisms of the Tinubu administration and its handling of democratic institutions.

Oladejo, speaking from the APC side, has offered a sharply different interpretation.

ADVERTISEMENT

ValidViewNetwork can confirm that both sides are presenting political arguments rather than neutral assessments.

Beyond the slogans

The political language may be colourful.

The underlying issues are serious.Atiku’s camp is making claims about governance, democratic institutions and economic policy.

The APC is defending the administration and challenging the opposition’s interpretation of events.

As the 2027 political contest develops, the important distinction for voters and readers will be between political slogans and claims that can be tested against records, policies, official documents and measurable outcomes.

That is where the argument ultimately moves beyond “Skelewu”. The dance may generate headlines. The facts will determine what those arguments actually mean. ValidViewNetwork reports.