$16bn Power Project: Probe Me If You Have Evidence, Atiku Tells FG

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Nigerian federal government to investigate him if it possesses evidence of wrongdoing related to the $16 billion power project allegations. In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Atiku accused the government of recycling old allegations to divert attention from questions about the management of Nigeria's resources, including funds saved from the removal of fuel subsidies.

The statement also alleged that the sudden resurgence of accusations concerning the power sector, privatization, and public assets was intended to divert attention from the economic hardships faced by millions of Nigerians. Atiku maintained that he was not invited to answer any allegations of wrongdoing during the National Assembly's investigation of power projects and that he disagreed with the concept of the power project but did not preside over its implementation.

Atiku emphasized that if there was evidence of him stealing public money, no government had presented it before a court during his tenure as Vice President from 2007 to the present. He urged the government to investigate him, produce evidence, and prosecute him if there is a case. However, Atiku stressed that propaganda could not replace evidence and that he would continue demanding accountability and proposing economic policies to restore purchasing power for Nigerians.