Group Digs Up Atiku’s Past Over ‘Thieves’ Accusation

The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has dug into the political past of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, challenging him to account for his record in government before accusing those currently managing the country of stealing the economy.

Atiku, a leading opposition figure and presidential hopeful for the 2027 election, had recently accused the ruling administration of stealing the 2023 presidential election and the Nigerian economy.

“We are competing with thieves. They stole the election. Now they have stolen the economy. They have stolen everything,” Atiku said.

Reacting in a statement signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, TSF said the former vice president could not demand scrutiny of the present administration while expecting Nigerians to exempt his own record from examination.

The group questioned Atiku’s moral authority to make sweeping allegations against those in government, particularly in view of his role as Vice-President and Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“A man who presided over the most shady sale of national assets at scandalous prices should not point his index finger at others because three others point directly at him,” TSF said.

The forum explained that while the NCP provided policy direction for the privatisation programme, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) was responsible for implementing the transactions.

It therefore said Nigerians were entitled to ask how the enterprises were valued, whether the country received fair value for the assets transferred to private interests and what safeguards were put in place to prevent political influence.

The group also recalled allegations made by former BPE Director-General, Nasir El-Rufai, before a Senate committee investigating the privatisation programme in 2011.

According to TSF, El-Rufai alleged that Atiku and Obasanjo had, at different times, sought to influence the disposal of government enterprises to their associates.

The forum, however, stressed that the allegation had been contested and should not be treated as a judicial finding.

“The allegation was contested and should not be presented as a judicial finding. But it was made before a Senate investigative committee and became part of the public record,” it said.

TSF also drew attention to the controversy surrounding the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) during the Obasanjo administration, saying the issue remained part of the questions that could legitimately be raised about Atiku’s period in office.

It said its demand was not for Nigerians to presume guilt but for all political actors seeking public office to accept the same level of scrutiny they demand of their opponents.

“Accountability cannot be selective. Atiku should be prepared to answer the questions Nigerians have continued to ask about his years in government,” the group said.

The forum argued that the 2027 presidential election should be centred on competing records, policies and ideas rather than accusations and counter-accusations.

It challenged Atiku to explain what he would do differently if elected, particularly on foreign exchange reforms, fuel subsidy, revenue mobilisation, taxation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.

“If Atiku believes the Nigerian economy has been ‘stolen’, he should tell Nigerians precisely what he means, provide evidence and explain what he would do differently,” TSF said.

The group also maintained that the Tinubu administration should be prepared to defend its own record before Nigerians, just as Atiku and other presidential contenders should account for their past decisions.

“Let the Tinubu administration defend its record. Let Atiku defend his record. Let every presidential contender put his policies, achievements and past decisions before Nigerians,” it said.

TSF said the electorate should ultimately determine which political actors had performed better and whose proposals offered a credible direction for the country.

It added that Nigerians deserved facts, verifiable records and clear policy alternatives as political parties and their candidates prepare for the 2027 general elections.