2027: Investigate me — Atiku speaks on $16bn power projects scandal‎

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has denied wrongdoing in the alleged $16 billion power project scandal ahead of the 2027 general election.

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‎Atiku made the disclosure in a statement by his media team on Wednesday.

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‎DAILY POST reports that allegations of the mismanagement of $16 billion allocated to the National Integrated Power Projects, NIPP, were raised in connection with the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku between 1999 and 2007.

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‎Reacting, Atiku challenged the Tinubu administration to produce evidence of wrongdoing against him.

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‎Atiku said the sudden resurrection of allegations concerning the power sector, privatisation and public assets was a predictable attempt to divert attention from the questions confronting the Tinubu administration.

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‎“The National Assembly investigated the power projects. I was never invited to answer any allegation of wrongdoing.

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‎“Yes, I chaired the National Council on Privatisation as Vice President. But on the power project, I disagreed with its concept and did not preside over its implementation. The responsible minister did. The same applies to the Aluminium Smelter matter.

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‎“I have repeatedly asked to be investigated. I left office in 2007 and have spent much of the period since then opposing governments in power. If there is evidence that I stole public money, why has no government produced it before a court?

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‎“It is still not too late. Investigate me. Invite me. Produce the evidence. Prosecute me if you have a case. But propaganda cannot substitute for evidence,” he stated.

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