Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain the procurement and ownership details surrounding projects reportedly worth about $20bn and linked to his long-time associate, Gilbert Chagoury.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, made the demand in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
He said the issues reportedly raised by The Economist had taken questions surrounding the Federal Government’s procurement practices beyond domestic political criticism and placed them under international scrutiny.
Atiku said the estimated value of the projects, which he put at about N27tn, was too substantial for the Presidency to dismiss without providing detailed explanations.
He asked the government to disclose how the contracts were awarded, whether they went through competitive bidding, the identities of their ultimate beneficiaries and any tax concessions, waivers or other incentives granted in connection with them.
According to him, the repeated appearance of businesses allegedly associated with a presidential associate in major government projects requires clarification from the administration.
“The questions are simple: Who awarded these contracts? Were they competitively tendered? What tax concessions, waivers or privileges were granted? Who are the ultimate beneficial owners?” Atiku asked.
He also criticised the Presidency’s handling of allegations of corruption and alleged favouritism, saying responding to critics through verbal attacks would not resolve questions raised by an international publication.
Atiku said The Economist was not an opposition political party and had no electoral interest in Nigeria’s 2027 elections, urging Tinubu to address the substance of the issues reportedly raised by the publication.
“The Economist is not an opposition party. It is not on the ballot in 2027. The President should answer the questions it has raised,” he said.
The former Vice President further linked the controversy to the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, arguing that citizens were being asked to endure higher taxes and rising living costs while questions remained over projects allegedly connected to a close associate of the President.
He said the government’s reform agenda could lose public confidence if transparency was not demonstrated in the handling of large public contracts.
“You cannot preach sacrifice to hungry Nigerians while questions hang over ₦27 trillion worth of projects linked to your friend. That is not reform. It is an assault on public trust,” Atiku stated.
He therefore urged the Presidency to make public the procurement records, ownership structures, tax arrangements and other relevant information concerning the projects cited in the report.
Atiku said full disclosure would help address concerns about transparency, accountability and possible conflicts of interest in the award and execution of major government projects.
“Nigeria is a republic, not a friends-and-family investment portfolio. ₦27 trillion demands answers. President Tinubu must provide them,” he added.
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