Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Privatizing Nigeria for Personal Gain

Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Privatizing Nigeria for Personal Gain

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of turning Nigeria into a private enterprise, claiming that the country’s future has been “mortgaged” to the president, his family, and close associates.

In a statement released on Thursday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed concern that Tinubu’s influence over Nigeria may persist even after he leaves office. He alleged that Tinubu has integrated his business interests into national affairs, similar to how he managed Lagos’s public enterprises through proxies.

“At the federal level, Tinubu is replicating what he did in Lagos with companies like Alpha Beta and Primero managing critical sectors for his benefit,” Atiku stated. He pointed specifically to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its partnership with OVH, in which Oando, led by Wale Tinubu, holds a significant 49% stake.

Atiku criticized the acquisition of OVH by NNPC Retail shortly before the 2023 elections, a deal that was kept under wraps without disclosing the purchase price. He questioned the appointment of Pius Akinyelure, a former associate of Tinubu, as NNPC Chairman and Tinubu’s decision to serve as Petroleum Minister, calling it an abuse of office.

According to Atiku, these transactions have compromised the transparency of NNPC’s operations. He cast doubt on the ongoing investigation into the state-owned oil company, noting the involvement of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, a close supporter of Tinubu, in leading the National Assembly panel overseeing the investigation.

Additionally, Atiku raised concerns over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, now embroiled in litigation. He pointed to investigative reports that linked Tinubu’s son, Seyi, to Gilbert Chagoury, the project’s contractor, as evidence of a conflict of interest.

Atiku concluded by expressing doubt that justice would be served, given the close ties between Tinubu and those conducting the investigations into the administration’s activities.