Atiku challenges FG to probe $16bn power spending, accuses govt of distraction

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dared the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute him if it possesses any evidence connecting him to the alleged $16 billion expenditure on power projects during his tenure.

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The National Assembly investigated the power projects. I was never invited to answer any allegation of wrongdoing.

Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress, accused the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu of resorting to old allegations as a tactic to distract the public from pressing questions regarding the utilization of funds saved from the removal of petrol subsidies. He questioned the government's stewardship of these revenues, demanding to know "Where is the people's money?"

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Yes, I chaired the National Council on Privatisation as vice president. But on the power project, I disagreed with its concept and did not preside over its implementation. The responsible minister did.

The former vice president highlighted that allegations against him concerning power sector projects, privatization, and public assets have been repeatedly raised over the years without any resulting prosecution, despite successive governments having access to state investigative machinery. He stated that while he chaired the National Council on Privatisation as vice president, he disagreed with the concept of the power project and did not oversee its implementation, attributing that responsibility to the minister.

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If there is evidence that I stole public money, why has no government produced it before a court? It is still not too late. Investigate me. Invite me. Produce the evidence. Prosecute me if you have a case. But propaganda cannot substitute for evidence.

Abubakar's challenge comes amid heightened political tension between the opposition and the Federal Government concerning the nation's economic state and the impact of the administration's reforms. He has consistently criticized the economic consequences of subsidy removal, asserting that Nigerians face significantly increased costs for essential goods and transportation without commensurate benefits from the additional government revenues. He suggested the revival of the power project controversy is politically motivated, aimed at deflecting attention from his demands for greater transparency regarding subsidy removal proceeds.

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Where is the people’s money?