Probe me over $16bn power spending if you have evidence, Atiku dares FG

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to investigate him if it possesses evidence linking him to the alleged $16bn power expenditure during his tenure as government. Atiku, the presidential nominee of the African Democratic Congress, also accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of reiterating old allegations to divert attention from the impact of petrol subsidy removal.

He made these remarks in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Wednesday. Atiku claimed that the resurgence of allegations surrounding power-sector projects, privatization, and public assets was an attempt to shift public focus from the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

He also questioned the government's handling of the resources gained since petrol subsidy removal, asking, “Where is the people’s money?” Atiku emphasized that he had been repeatedly accused of wrongdoing over the years without facing any prosecution. He stated that while he chaired the National Council on Privatization as Vice President, his disagreement with the concept of the power projects prevented him from presiding over their implementation.

The statement comes amid a growing political conflict between the opposition and the Federal Government over the economy and the consequences of subsidy removal.