Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar isn’t running from controversy. Instead, he’s sprinting toward it. Facing renewed allegations over a $16 billion power project scandal from the Obasanjo administration between 1999 and 2007, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate issued a bold challenge on Wednesday: investigate me.
What’s behind the timing? Atiku’s media team says the sudden resurrection of decades-old accusations about the National Integrated Power Projects looks like a predictable diversion tactic by President Tinubu’s administration. The former vice president insists he was never invited to answer questions when the National Assembly investigated the power projects.
His defense is straightforward. While he chaired the National Council on Privatisation, Atiku claims he disagreed with the power project’s concept and didn’t oversee its implementation. That job fell to the responsible minister. He’s been out of office since 2007, spending most years opposing those in power.
The gauntlet is down. “Produce the evidence. Prosecute me if you have a case. But propaganda cannot substitute for evidence,” Atiku stated. After nearly two decades of political opposition, he’s asking why no government has brought charges if wrongdoing occurred. It’s a question Nigeria’s electorate may be asking too as the 2027 election approaches.
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