Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute him if it has evidence linking him to the alleged mismanagement of $16bn allocated to the National Integrated Power Projects.
Atiku made the challenge in a statement issued by his media team on Wednesday, amid renewed allegations surrounding the power sector projects executed during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.
The former Vice President dismissed the allegations as an attempt to divert public attention from issues confronting the administration of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
He maintained that he had never been invited by the authorities to answer allegations of wrongdoing concerning the power projects, despite previous investigations by the National Assembly.
“The National Assembly investigated the power projects. I was never invited to answer any allegation of wrongdoing,” Atiku said.
He acknowledged that he chaired the National Council on Privatisation while serving as Vice President but denied overseeing the implementation of the power projects.
“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,” he said.
Atiku also referred to allegations surrounding the Aluminium Smelter, saying his position was similar in that case.
The ADC presidential candidate said he had repeatedly called for an investigation into his activities while in government, insisting that no administration had produced evidence linking him to the alleged theft of public funds.
“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,” he said.
He challenged the Tinubu administration to present any evidence it has against him rather than relying on political accusations.
“If there is evidence that I stole public money, why has no government produced it before a court? It is still not too late. Investigate me. Invite me. Produce the evidence. Prosecute me if you have a case,” Atiku said.
He added that political propaganda should not be used as a substitute for evidence, particularly as the country moves towards the 2027 elections.
