By Precious Mark
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has insisted that President Bola Tinubu must publicly address concerns raised by The Economist regarding $20 billion worth of federal projects awarded to businesses linked to his long-time associate, Gilbert Chagoury.
Speaking on Tuesday, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress( ADC), noted that the report has elevated concerns over the administration’s procurement practices to an international credibility crisis.
Atiku noted that at prevailing exchange rates, $20 billion amounts to approximately ₦27 trillion, a sum approaching the scale of national budgets.
“Nigerians deserve to know how projects of such staggering value became concentrated around businesses linked to one man who happens to be a close associate of the President,” Atiku stated.
“This is not pocket change. Nigerians cannot be asked to tighten their belts while those around the President appear to be tightening their grip on some of the biggest contracts in the country,” he stressed.
The former Vice President urged the Presidency to respond directly to specific questions regarding contract awards, competitive bidding, tax concessions, and beneficial ownership.
“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? And why does the same presidential associate keep appearing around projects worth billions of dollars?” Atiku asked.
Reiterating that international news organizations are not domestic political opponents, Atiku faulted the administration’s practice of using presidential spokespersons to attack critics rather than providing transparent answers.
“President Tinubu cannot answer every allegation of corruption and cronyism by deploying presidential spokesmen to abuse critics. The Economist is not an opposition party. The President should answer the questions it has raised,” Atiku added.
He challenged the Presidency to publish full procurement details, ownership structures, and tax concession records, emphasizing that Nigeria is a republic, not a friends-and-family investment portfolio.
