A fresh war of words has broken out between Segun Showunmi, a former spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar, and Paul Ibe, a media aide to the former Vice President, with both men exchanging strong accusations over credibility and past conduct.

The dispute escalated after Showunmi issued a public warning to Ibe, accusing him of spreading false information and repeatedly mentioning his name in matters he “cannot defend.” In his statement, Showunmi said his earlier silence was deliberate, citing respect for relationships connected to Atiku’s family, including Titi Atiku Abubakar. He, however, cautioned that continued claims against him would prompt a detailed response backed by evidence.

In response, Ibe dismissed Showunmi’s warning, describing it as an “empty threat,” while launching a personal attack on the former spokesperson. He further alleged that Showunmi had, in the past, shown interest in financial gains during his time in Atiku’s 2019 presidential campaign team, an allegation he linked to a broader criticism of Showunmi’s political stance.

The controversy is also tied to an earlier open letter by Kio Amachree, who criticised Showunmi over his defence of businessman Gilbert Chagoury. In the letter, Amachree questioned Showunmi’s political consistency, referencing his past role as an opposition spokesperson and his more recent comments perceived as favourable to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Amachree also made several claims regarding Chagoury’s past legal issues and business dealings, citing international reports and investigations. However, these claims remain part of ongoing public debate and have not been newly adjudicated in this context.

The situation reflects widening cracks among political figures and allies linked to Atiku, particularly following the 2023 general elections and shifting political alignments.

Analysts say the public nature of the exchanges points to deeper disagreements within the camp, as individuals reposition themselves ahead of future political developments.

However, there has been no official response from Atiku Abubakar regarding the ongoing dispute between his former spokesperson and his media aide.