Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu, alleging that Nigeria is swiftly evolving into a government that serves only the interests of Tinubu, his family, and his associates. In a statement released on Wednesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku claimed that the future of Nigerians is being compromised, with Tinubu establishing a stranglehold on the nation’s resources that will be difficult to break even after he leaves office.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, drew parallels between Tinubu’s business practices in Lagos and his actions at the federal level. He accused Tinubu of replicating the integration of his business interests into public enterprises across Nigeria, similar to his alleged operations in Lagos with companies like Alpha Beta and Primero.
The former vice president expressed particular concern about the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its controversial dealings. He pointed out that the NNPC’s retail arm is now under the control of OVH, a company partly owned by Oando, which is led by Wale Tinubu, a relative of the president. Atiku described this as a “criminal hijack” of the NNPC by corporate cabals closely connected to Tinubu.
Atiku highlighted the acquisition of OVH by NNPC Retail, which he claimed was done without transparency. He criticized the lack of disclosure regarding the purchase price and terms of the acquisition, adding that a Freedom of Information request by Premium Times for more details was rejected by the NNPC, which justified its refusal by claiming to be a private company despite its government ownership.
Atiku also raised concerns about the integrity of ongoing legislative investigations into the NNPC and its leadership. He questioned the credibility of the process, pointing out that the National Assembly panel investigating the matter is headed by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, a known supporter of Tinubu and former commissioner in Lagos State under Tinubu’s administration.
The former vice president further commented on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which is currently under litigation. He linked the project to a close relationship between Tinubu’s son, Seyi, and Gilbert Chagoury, who was awarded the contract without competitive bidding. Atiku suggested that this reflects a conflict of interest, noting that projects worth over $24 billion were approved without the usual competitive processes, seemingly to benefit those close to the president.
Atiku’s accusations add to the growing scrutiny of Tinubu’s administration, raising questions about governance and the concentration of power in Nigeria.