Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the Bola Tinubu administration to investigate and prosecute him if it has evidence linking him to wrongdoing in the controversial $16 billion power sector expenditure.
Drivetvnews gathered that Atiku said the allegations against him should not continue to resurface decades after he left office if successive administrations genuinely possess evidence of misconduct.
He made the remarks in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The former vice president accused the Tinubu administration and its supporters of reviving old allegations in an attempt to divert public attention from growing concerns over the management of funds generated after the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Atiku explained that although he chaired the National Council on Privatisation during his tenure as vice president, he was not responsible for implementing the power projects in question.
According to him, the relevant minister was responsible for overseeing their execution. He said the same principle applied to the controversy surrounding the Aluminium Smelter matter.
Atiku further claimed that the National Assembly had previously investigated the power projects but that he was never invited to answer allegations of wrongdoing.
He reiterated his willingness to face an investigation, challenging the government to produce evidence if it believes he committed any offence.
His position was clear: “Investigate me. Invite me. Produce the evidence. Prosecute me if you have a case. But propaganda cannot substitute for evidence.”
The ADC candidate also turned his attention to the economic consequences of petrol subsidy removal, arguing that Nigerians were promised that savings from the policy would be redirected towards development.
He questioned how those additional government revenues were being utilised, pointing to the rising cost of living faced by citizens.
Atiku asked, “Where is the people’s money?”, while also questioning the continued use of fiscal incentives, tax waivers, credits and concessions for major economic interests.
He accused the government of applying a double standard by removing what he described as reliefs available to ordinary Nigerians while defending interventions benefiting powerful economic interests as incentives.
Atiku also dismissed attacks against him on social media, insisting that such criticism would not prevent him from demanding accountability or advocating policies aimed at improving Nigerians’ purchasing power.
He maintained that if the government has a genuine case against him, it should present the evidence and prosecute him rather than repeatedly reviving allegations he considers politically motivated.
