By Isaac Mission
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to clarify reports concerning government projects reportedly worth about $20 billion that are linked to Lebanese-Nigerian businessman, Gilbert Chagoury.
Atiku’s position was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The former vice president said concerns reportedly raised by The Economist over the projects have gone beyond Nigeria’s domestic political debate and now raise questions about the transparency and credibility of the Federal Government’s procurement processes.
According to Atiku, the reported value of the projects translates to approximately ₦27 trillion based on prevailing exchange rates, making it necessary for the government to provide detailed information on how contracts of such magnitude were awarded.
He questioned why several major projects were allegedly connected to companies associated with Chagoury, whom he described as a long-standing associate of President Tinubu.
Atiku said Nigerians have the right to know the companies that received the contracts, the procedures followed in awarding them and whether the projects were subjected to competitive bidding.
He also demanded clarification on any tax concessions, waivers or other incentives 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?” Atiku asked.
He further questioned why Chagoury’s business interests allegedly continue to feature prominently in projects involving substantial public funds.
The ADC presidential candidate said the Presidency should directly address the issues rather than dismissing criticism through attacks by government spokespersons.
According to him, the fact that the concerns were reportedly raised by The Economist makes them deserving of a substantive response from the Federal Government.
Atiku also linked the controversy to the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, including increased taxes, rising living costs and declining purchasing power.
He argued that the government’s call for citizens to make sacrifices would be difficult to reconcile with unresolved questions surrounding projects valued at approximately ₦27 trillion.
The former vice president therefore urged the Presidency to publish relevant procurement records, ownership information, details of tax concessions and other documents relating to the projects.
He maintained that Nigerians deserve transparency whenever public resources of such magnitude are involved.
Atiku said the country should operate on the basis of transparent institutions and public accountability rather than relationships between political office holders and private business interests.
