By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown a direct challenge at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, daring it to invite him for questioning over long-standing allegations concerning the $16 billion power sector privatisation.
In a strongly-worded statement on Wednesday, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress dismissed the resurgence of what he called “recycled accusations” as a predictable ploy to shift public gaze from the government’s handling of subsidy removal proceeds.
Atiku, who served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007 and chaired the National Council on Privatisation, insisted that no government in nearly two decades has been able to substantiate claims of financial misconduct against him.
“The National Assembly investigated the power projects. I was never invited to answer any allegation of wrongdoing,” he stated, adding that while he chaired the council, he did not preside over the implementation of the power project, which fell under the purview of the supervising minister.
The former Vice President challenged the administration to either produce evidence and prosecute him or cease what he described as a campaign of distraction.
Atiku framed the revived allegations as a smokescreen for the more pressing issue of accountability over funds realised from the removal of petrol subsidies—a policy his camp has consistently criticised for failing to deliver promised relief to Nigerians.
He argued that citizens accepted significant economic pain based on assurances that subsidy removal would unlock resources for development. Instead, he noted, Nigerians now face soaring petrol prices, skyrocketing transportation costs, and worsening food inflation, while workers’ purchasing power continues its downward spiral.
“Government revenues have increased, yet fiscal incentives, waivers, tax credits and concessions continue to flow to powerful economic interests,” Atiku observed, questioning why the same government considers relief for the poor as “economically irresponsible” while labelling interventions for the connected as “incentives.”
His central question remained unchanged: “You removed the subsidy from the poor. You collected the savings. Where is the money?”
Atiku expressed frustration that every time his camp raises legitimate questions about governance and economic policy, old allegations are dusted off and paraded across social media.
He pointed out that he has spent most of his post-2007 years in opposition, yet no administration—military or civilian—has found it worthwhile to approach a court with evidence against him.
“If you have evidence against Atiku, bring it. If you have a case, prosecute it. But if you have neither, stop manufacturing distractions,” he declared.
The exchange comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with Atiku positioning himself as a vocal critic of the administration’s economic management.
His camp insists that no amount of mudslinging will force him to retreat from his demand for transparency, arguing that Nigerians deserve answers on how their sacrifice under subsidy removal has translated into national development—or whether it has been frittered away without tangible returns.
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