N27trn projects: Atiku demands answers from Tinubu, says public trust at stake

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain posers over about $20 billion worth of projects allegedly linked to businessman, Gilbert Chagoury.

Atiku, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also demanded that the Presidency publish details of the procurement processes, ownership structures, tax concessions and other relevant information concerning the projects.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the report by The Economist magazine has raised questions about procurement and the relationship between political proximity and access to major government projects.

He said the alleged $20 billion value of the projects amounted to approximately N27 trillion at prevailing exchange rates.

According to him, Nigerians deserved to know how projects of such magnitude allegedly became concentrated around businesses linked to Chagoury, whom he described as an associate of President Tinubu.

“This is not pocket change. This is an amount approaching the scale of entire national budgets. Nigerians cannot be asked to tighten their belts while those around the President appear to be tightening their grip on some of the biggest contracts in the country,” he said.

Atiku asked the Presidency to provide details on who awarded the contracts and whether the projects were subjected to competitive tendering.

He also demanded explanations on tax concessions, waivers or other privileges allegedly granted in connection with the projects.

“The questions are simple: Who awarded these contracts? Were they competitively tendered? What tax concessions, waivers or privileges were granted? Who are the ultimate beneficial owners? And why does the same presidential associate keep appearing around projects worth billions of dollars?” he asked.

The former Vice President said the Presidency should respond directly to the issues reportedly raised by The Economist.

“President Tinubu cannot answer every allegation of corruption and cronyism by deploying presidential spokesmen to abuse critics. The Economist is not an opposition party. It is not on the ballot in 2027. The President should answer the questions it has raised,” he said.

Atiku further challenged the Presidency to make public the procurement details, ownership structures, tax concessions and other relevant documents relating to the projects reportedly identified by the magazine.

He said transparency on the issues was necessary given the size of the projects and the economic sacrifices being demanded of Nigerians.

“You cannot preach sacrifice to hungry Nigerians while questions hang over N27 trillion worth of projects linked to your friend. That is not reform. It is an assault on public trust,” he said.