Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of creating a government that prioritizes his personal interests and those of his family and associates over the welfare of Nigerians.
Atiku, who ran as the Presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, revealed this in a statesmen signed by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe.
He revealed that Tinubu’s influence is deeply embedded in both Lagos and federal public enterprises.
Atiku drew parallels between Tinubu’s influence in Lagos through firms like Alpha Beta and Primero and his increasing federal influence.
“Just as these firms manage critical sectors in Lagos, Tinubu is extending this control to the federal level,” Atiku claimed.
He expressed concern over recent developments with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), particularly the controversial acquisition of OVH, a company partly owned by Wale Tinubu’s Oando.
“NNPC Retail’s acquisition of OVH, under opaque terms, is indicative of the ongoing misuse of public resources for personal gain,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President criticized the handling of NNPCL’s management, including the retention of Mele Kyari as GMD and the appointment of Pius Akinyelure as Chairman, both of whom are closely tied to Tinubu.
He described the situation as an example of “illogical business transactions and abuse of office.”
Atiku also cast doubt on the impartiality of legislative investigations into the NNPCL’s dealings, pointing to the potential conflict of interest involving Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who heads the panel and has close ties to Tinubu.
Additionally, Atiku highlighted concerns over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which is now under litigation.
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has reported on the close ties between Tinubu’s son, Seyi, and Gilbert Chagoury, who was awarded the contract without competitive bidding.
Atiku described this as a conflict of interest that underscores a troubling pattern of favoritism and corruption.
“This situation exemplifies how Tinubu’s influence permeates key national projects, raising serious questions about transparency and fairness in government dealings,” Atiku concluded.
