Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded that President Bola Tinubu publish details of about $20bn worth of government projects reportedly linked to Lebanese-Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury. He argued that the alleged concentration of major contracts around a presidential associate raises serious questions about procurement and public accountability.
Atiku’s demand was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following questions reportedly raised by The Economist over projects allegedly connected to Chagoury, a long-time associate of the President.
The former Vice-President said the value involved, which he put at approximately ₦27tn at prevailing exchange rates, was too substantial for the Presidency to dismiss without providing detailed explanations on how the projects were awarded and who ultimately owns the businesses involved.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to disclose the procurement processes behind the projects, including whether the contracts were competitively tendered, the identities of their ultimate beneficial owners and any tax concessions, waivers or other privileges granted to the companies concerned.
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He also questioned why Chagoury, whom he called a close associate of Tinubu, repeatedly appeared in connection with projects running into billions of dollars.
Atiku said, “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?”
The ADC candidate framed the controversy as an accountability issue rather than just a political dispute. His position was that the administration’s economic policies had imposed difficult conditions on Nigerians while allegations surrounding high-value government projects still remain unresolved.
He said the Presidency should respond directly to the issues attributed to The Economist, rather than treating the concerns as opposition attacks.
Atiku said, “President Tinubu cannot answer every allegation of corruption and cronyism by deploying presidential spokesmen to abuse critics.
“The Economist is not an opposition party. It is not on the ballot in 2027.”
Atiku further contended that the alleged value of the projects was significant enough to warrant public scrutiny, particularly given the economic pressures facing Nigerians.
He said the Federal Government’s call for citizens to endure higher taxes and increased living costs could undermine public confidence if questions over the handling of major public contracts were left unanswered.
Ariku said, “You cannot preach sacrifice to hungry Nigerians while questions hang over ₦27 trillion worth of projects linked to your friend.”
He therefore challenged the Presidency to publish the relevant procurement records, ownership structures, tax concessions, and other information concerning the projects reportedly identified by The Economist.
Atiku said transparency over the contracts would allow Nigerians to assess whether the projects were awarded through proper procedures and whether the interests of the public were adequately protected.
The former Vice-President concluded that the issue had implications beyond the personalities involved, and that the handling of public contracts was central to confidence in government.
“Nigeria is a republic, not a friends-and-family investment portfolio. ₦27 trillion demands answers. President Tinubu must provide them,” he said.
