Atiku Abubakar Alleges Nigeria’s Future Recklessly Mortgaged to Tinubu and His Family

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised serious concerns regarding the future of Nigeria, accusing President Bola Tinubu of entangling the country’s prospects with his personal and family interests. Atiku Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, argued that President Tinubu has effectively mortgaged Nigeria’s future to himself, his family, and close associates, thereby creating a web of influence that will be challenging to dismantle even after his tenure ends.

Atiku Abubakar drew parallels between Tinubu’s operations in Lagos, where he is known for embedding his business interests within the state’s public enterprises, and what he now perceives as similar maneuvers on a national scale. He cited specific examples, including the control exercised by Tinubu’s proxies over key sectors in Lagos, such as Alpha Beta and Primero, and expressed concerns that this model is being replicated at the federal level, raising alarm over the long-term implications for the nation.

Atiku Abubakar Criticizes NNPC Deal Involving Tinubu’s Allies

In a detailed statement released by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku highlighted what he described as a troubling development involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). He expressed dismay at the recent acquisition of the NNPC’s retail arm by OVH, a company in which Oando, led by Wale Tinubu, owns a significant 49% stake. Atiku argued that this deal represents a clear conflict of interest, given President Tinubu’s close ties to those involved.

Atiku Abubakar lamented that his vision of privatizing the NNPC to enhance transparency and efficiency has been derailed by what he views as a corporate takeover orchestrated by the president and his allies. He criticized the NNPC’s refusal to disclose the terms of the OVH acquisition, pointing out that the state-owned entity, which still operates under government ownership, has acted with a level of opacity inconsistent with public accountability. According to Atiku Abubakar, this move has placed critical national assets under the influence of private interests aligned with the president, undermining the public good.

Allegations of Conflict of Interest and Abuse of Office

Atiku Abubakar went further to accuse President Tinubu of orchestrating business transactions that defy economic logic and serve primarily to benefit his family. He pointed out that the retention of Mele Kyari as the Group Managing Director of NNPC, despite allegations of incompetence, and the appointment of Pius Akinyelure as NNPC Chairman, who has close ties to Tinubu, raises serious ethical concerns. Atiku Abubakar also condemned the decision to position President Tinubu as the Minister of Petroleum, which he believes consolidates Tinubu’s control over Nigeria’s most critical sector.

Moreover, Atiku Abubakar described the reversal of ownership within NNPC Retail, where OVH, formerly owned by NNPC Retail, now appears to have taken over its former parent company, as a transaction that lacks any economic justification. He warned that such moves not only undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s oil sector but also signal a broader pattern of abuse of office, where public assets are being leveraged to serve the interests of a few. Atiku Abubakar’s revelations highlight what he sees as a dangerous trend in Nigeria’s governance, where national resources and institutions are increasingly tied to the interests of a powerful elite, compromising the country’s future.

Atiku Abubakar Questions Credibility of Legislative Probe into NNPC Leadership

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced serious doubts about the credibility of the ongoing legislative investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its leadership. While acknowledging that the probe is necessary, Atiku Abubakar expressed skepticism about the integrity of the process, suggesting that those leading the investigation might have conflicts of interest.

At the center of Atiku’s concerns is Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who chairs the National Assembly panel conducting the investigation. Atiku pointed out that Bamidele, a long-time supporter of President Bola Tinubu, served as a commissioner under Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State Governor and has publicly referred to Tinubu as his political godfather. Given that President Tinubu currently holds the portfolio of Petroleum Minister, Atiku questioned whether Bamidele could impartially oversee an investigation that might implicate his patron. “I doubt Bamidele will conduct a thorough investigation that might implicate his patron,” Atiku remarked, raising concerns about the potential for bias in the probe.

Concerns Over Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project and Alleged Conflicts of Interest

Atiku also turned his attention to the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which has recently come under legal scrutiny. The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalists, reported that the highway project is now the subject of a court case, bringing to light alleged irregularities in its awarding process.

According to Atiku, the project was awarded to Gilbert Chagoury, a businessman with close ties to President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, without the usual competitive bidding process. Atiku had previously labeled the project as fraudulent, a claim that was initially denied by the government. However, with the matter now in court, Atiku emphasized the need for transparency, noting the troubling connections between the Tinubu and Chagoury families. “It is also concerning that Chagoury and Tinubu have a business relationship, and their children are business partners,” Atiku stated, underscoring the potential for conflicts of interest in the awarding of such a significant infrastructure project.

Implications of Non-Competitive Bidding on Major National Projects

Atiku’s concerns extend beyond the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to the broader implications of non-competitive bidding on national infrastructure projects. He highlighted that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, along with the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway, represents a combined investment of over $24 billion, yet both were approved without competitive bidding.

For Atiku, this raises serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the process. “It seems that whatever Tinubu wants, he gets,” Atiku commented, suggesting that the current administration may be prioritizing personal or political interests over national development needs. The former vice president called for greater oversight and accountability in the awarding of government contracts, especially in projects of such national importance, to ensure that public funds are used responsibly and in the best interest of all Nigerians.