The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to address questions reportedly raised by The Economist over about $20 billion worth of projects linked to his long-time associate, Gilbert Chagoury.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the reported revelations had raised concerns about the Tinubu administration’s procurement practices.
“At prevailing exchange rates, $20 billion is approximately ₦27 trillion. Nigerians deserve to know how projects of such staggering value became concentrated around businesses linked to one man who happens to be a close associate of the President,” Atiku said.
He said the Presidency should respond to the issues reportedly raised by The Economist concerning procurement, taxation and the relationship between political proximity and access to major government 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? And why does the same presidential associate keep appearing around projects worth billions of dollars?” he said.
Atiku said Nigerians were facing higher taxes, rising living costs and economic hardship, and challenged the Presidency to publish procurement details, ownership structures, tax concessions and other relevant information concerning the projects reportedly identified by the publication.
“Nigeria is a republic, not a friends-and-family investment portfolio. ₦27 trillion demands answers. President Tinubu must provide them,” he said.
