Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute him if it has evidence linking him to wrongdoing in the controversial $16bn power sector expenditure.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said the revival of the allegation was an attempt to divert attention from his demand for accountability over revenues saved from the removal of petrol subsidy.
In a statement issued through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku insisted that successive governments had failed to produce evidence against him despite investigations into the power projects.
“Investigate me, invite me, produce the evidence and prosecute me if you have a case,” he said.
He also questioned how the government had deployed funds generated since the removal of petrol subsidy, asking, “Where is the people’s money?”
The Presidency, however, accused Atiku of taking conflicting positions on petrol subsidy. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Atiku and his aides had offered different explanations of his proposed policy, describing it as a serious contradiction.
The Presidency challenged Atiku to explain how his proposed targeted subsidy would be funded, who would benefit and when it would end.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) criticised Atiku’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy if elected in 2027, arguing that a return to the old system without addressing its structural problems would be unsustainable.
NANS President Akinteye Babatunde said the focus should be on how the government uses resources freed by subsidy removal to improve education, healthcare, infrastructure and other critical sectors.
The exchange adds to the growing political battle between Atiku and the Tinubu administration as activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election intensify.
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