Atiku challenges Tinubu govt to probe $16bn power project claims

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a direct challenge to the current Nigerian government, daring President Bola Tinubu to investigate and prosecute him if any evidence links him to the controversial $16 billion expenditure on power projects during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress, accused the Tinubu-led government of recycling old allegations. He suggested this tactic is intended to divert public attention from pressing economic issues and questions surrounding the utilization of funds saved from the removal of petrol subsidies. The resurfacing of these power sector and privatization allegations, he argued, serves as a smokescreen for the nation's current economic hardship.

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

The $16 billion figure, commonly associated with power sector spending and commitments under the Obasanjo administration, has been a subject of scrutiny since 2007. While initial reports cited around $11 billion, the amount later became widely reported as $16 billion. Former President Obasanjo has previously defended the expenditure, citing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and presidential reviews, which he argued undermined claims of outright squandering. Reports have suggested that a significant portion of the budgeted funds remained unspent or was disbursed differently than alleged.

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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.

Abubakar, through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, emphasized that these allegations have been repeatedly raised over the years without any prosecution. He pointed out that successive governments have had access to state investigative machinery. He clarified his role, stating that while he chaired the National Council on Privatisation as Vice President, he disagreed with the concept of the power project and did not preside over its implementation, attributing that to the responsible minister.

"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," the statement read. Abubakar has consistently called for investigation, highlighting that he has spent much of the time since leaving office in 2007 opposing governments in power. He questioned why, if he had indeed stolen public money, no government had presented evidence in court.

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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.