Nigeria Turning Into Govt of Tinubu, by Tinubu, for Tinubu; Citizens’ Future Mortgaged to Him, His Family, Associates – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu, claiming that the future of Nigeria has been effectively mortgaged to Tinubu, his family, and close associates.

 

In a statement released on Wednesday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed deep concern over what he describes as a “government of Tinubu, by Tinubu, and for Tinubu.

 

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Allegations of Power Consolidation

Atiku, who was a presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), drew parallels between Tinubu’s alleged use of proxies in Lagos—such as Alpha Beta and Primero—and his current efforts to replicate this model at the federal level.

 

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He argued that just as these entities manage critical sectors in Lagos and generate revenue for Tinubu’s family, similar patterns are emerging in federal operations.

 

Specifically, Atiku pointed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), expressing surprise and concern over its recent activities.

 

He highlighted how the state-owned oil company has handed over its retail arm to OVH, a company partially owned by Oando, which is led by Wale Tinubu, a relative of the President.

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Atiku contended that this move signals a broader attempt to entrench Tinubu’s business interests within federal institutions.

 

Concerns Over NNPCL’s Operations.

Atiku lamented that his own plans to privatize the NNPC, aimed at increasing transparency, have been overshadowed by what he called a “criminal hijack” of the company by corporate allies close to President Tinubu. He noted that in October 2022, just five months before the general elections, NNPC Retail controversially acquired OVH and its filling stations, despite already having a substantial network of its own.

 

The former Vice President criticized the lack of transparency in this deal, pointing out that the NNPCL did not disclose the purchase price or terms of the acquisition. When a Freedom of Information request was made by Premium Times to shed light on the transaction, it was rejected by the NNPCL, which claimed to operate as a private entity despite being government-owned.

 

Allegations of Abuse of Office

Atiku also took aim at the current leadership of the NNPCL, particularly the retention of Mele Kyari as the Group Managing Director (GMD) despite his perceived incompetence. He further criticized Tinubu’s appointment of Pius Akinyelure, a former ally and colleague at Mobil, as NNPC Chairman, while also taking on the role of Minister of Petroleum himself.

 

In a move that Atiku described as defying economic logic, OVH—previously under the control of NNPC Retail—has now acquired NNPC Retail. This arrangement, he argued, effectively means that Oando, led by Wale Tinubu, now owns 49% of NNPC Retail. Atiku alleged that Nigeria paid Wale Tinubu a significant amount to facilitate this transfer of ownership, calling it a clear abuse of office by President Tinubu.

 

Legislative Investigation and Skepticism

While acknowledging that the NNPCL and its leadership are under legislative investigation, Atiku expressed doubt about the credibility of the process, given the vested interests of those involved. He specifically mentioned Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who is leading the National Assembly panel, noting Bamidele’s close ties to President Tinubu, whom he served under as a commissioner in Lagos State.

 

Atiku questioned whether Bamidele would conduct a thorough investigation that could potentially implicate his “patron,” given Tinubu’s dual role as both the Petroleum Minister and the President.

 

Concerns Over Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project

The former Vice President also addressed the recent controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which has come under litigation. He recalled that the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global investigative journalism network, revealed a close relationship between Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, and Gilbert Chagoury, the contractor awarded the project without competitive bidding.

 

Atiku pointed to this relationship as a clear conflict of interest, arguing that the approval of such massive projects—like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway, which together will cost over $24 billion—without open bidding processes, highlights the extent to which President Tinubu allegedly prioritizes personal gain over national interest.