Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to investigate him, present evidence and prosecute him if he is found to have any connection with alleged wrongdoing involving the controversial $16 billion power sector projects.
Atiku made the challenge on Wednesday through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, amid renewed claims concerning the projects carried out during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The former Vice President said he had no reason to fear any investigation, insisting that if the government had credible evidence against him, it should make the evidence public and take the matter to court instead of repeatedly raising the allegations.
Atiku explained that although he served as chairman of the National Council on Privatisation while he was Vice President, he was not responsible for the direct implementation of the power projects. According to him, that responsibility belonged to the relevant minister.
He also said the same position applied to issues surrounding the Aluminium Smelter project, adding that previous investigations by the National Assembly did not invite him to answer allegations of wrongdoing.
The ADC presidential candidate said he had consistently remained open to investigation whenever accusations were made against him. He maintained that he would cooperate with any lawful process if the authorities believed they had a case against him.
Atiku further accused the Tinubu administration and its supporters of bringing back old allegations as a way of shifting public attention away from questions surrounding the management of funds generated after the removal of petrol subsidy.
He argued that Nigerians were told that ending the subsidy would free government resources for development and improve the economy. However, he said many citizens had continued to struggle with rising living costs since the policy was introduced.
The former Vice President also questioned how much money the Federal Government had gained from the removal of the subsidy and how the additional revenue had been spent.
He raised concerns about the continued use of tax credits, waivers, fiscal incentives and other concessions for major businesses, arguing that government policies appeared to provide relief for powerful economic interests while ordinary Nigerians faced greater financial pressure.
Atiku also dismissed attacks against him on social media, saying such criticism would not prevent him from demanding accountability from the Federal Government or pushing for policies that could improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.
He maintained that allegations which had remained unresolved for many years should not be used as a substitute for evidence. He therefore called on the government to either investigate and prosecute him if it has a case or stop using the matter as a political distraction.
The former Vice President’s latest comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, with Atiku and other opposition figures increasingly questioning the economic policies and spending decisions of the Tinubu administration.