{
  "id": 3590330,
  "title": "$16bn power saga: Investigate me if you have evidence, Atiku tells FG",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/16bn-power-saga-investigate-me-if-you-have-evidence-atiku-tells-fg",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T18:59:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/16bn-power-saga-investigate-me-if-you-have-evidence-atiku-tells-fg/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Tinubu administration to provide evidence of wrongdoing against him and request an investigation, rather than repeatedly raising old allegations when questioned about Nigeria's resource management. Atiku stated that the recent resurgence of allegations surrounding the power sector, privatization, and public assets is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the critical matter of where the money has gone since the removal of subsidies for ordinary Nigerians. In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku emphasized that Nigerians must recognize the concerted effort to shift the conversation away from the economic struggles faced by millions to baseless allegations that have never been investigated. He clarified that, while he chaired the National Council on Privatization during his Vice Presidency, he disagreed with the power project concept and was not responsible for its implementation. Atiku further accused the government of hypocrisy, pointing out that, despite the promised development, petrol prices have risen, food costs have increased, and the purchasing power of Nigerian workers has been severely affected. He urged the Tinubu administration to present concrete evidence of his alleged wrongdoing, rather than relying on propaganda, and demanded accountability for the proceeds of subsidy removal.",
  "summary": "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Tinubu administration and its supporters to produce evidence of wrongdoing against him and invite him for investigation rather than recycle decades-old allegations whenever uncomfortable questions are raised about the management of Nigeria’s resources. Atiku said the sudden resurrection of allegations concerning the power sector,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "2027: Investigate me — Atiku speaks on $16bn power projects scandal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/2027-investigate-me-atiku-speaks-on-16bn-power-projects-scandal",
        "published": "2026-08-26T18:33:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Probe me over $16bn power spending if you have evidence, Atiku dares FG",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/probe-me-over-16bn-power-spending-if-you-have-evidence-atiku-dares-fg",
        "published": "2026-08-26T18:58:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}