Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to publish procurement and ownership details of projects reportedly worth about $20 billion (approximately ₦27 trillion) and linked to his long-time associate, Gilbert Chagoury.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following reports attributed to The Economist concerning projects allegedly connected to Chagoury.
The former vice president said the report had raised fresh questions about procurement practices under the Tinubu administration and called for greater transparency over the contracts.
“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 said.
He urged the Presidency to address questions surrounding the procurement process, taxation and the relationship between political connections and access to major government projects.
Atiku specifically asked: Who awarded the contracts? Were they competitively tendered? What tax concessions or waivers were granted? Who are the ultimate beneficial owners?
He also criticised the Presidency’s response to allegations of corruption and cronyism, arguing that the concerns should be addressed directly rather than through attacks on critics.
“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.
Atiku said the controversy was particularly significant amid rising taxes, living costs and economic hardship, arguing that Nigerians deserve transparency over major government contracts.
He therefore challenged the Presidency to publish the procurement records, ownership structures, tax concessions and other relevant information relating to the projects reportedly identified by The Economist.
“Nigeria is a republic, not a friends-and-family investment portfolio. ₦27 trillion demands answers. President Tinubu must provide them,” Atiku said.
Source: Statement by Atiku Abubakar’s media aide, Phrank Shaibu.
