$20bn Chagoury deals: Tinubu must answer The Economist — Atiku

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain questions reportedly raised by The Economist over about $20 billion worth of projects allegedly linked to Gilbert Chagoury, a long-time associate of the President.

Mr Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the reported revelations had elevated concerns over the Tinubu administration’s procurement practices from domestic suspicion to an international credibility crisis.

“At prevailing exchange rates, $20 billion is approximately N27 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.

“This is not pocket change. This is an amount approaching the scale of entire national budgets. Nigerians cannot be asked to tighten their belts while those around the President appear to be tightening their grip on some of the biggest contracts in the country.”

Mr Atiku said the Presidency should specifically address 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?

“President Tinubu cannot answer every allegation of corruption and cronyism by deploying presidential spokesmen to abuse critics. The Economist is not an opposition party. It is not on the ballot in 2027. The President should answer the questions it has raised.”

The former Vice President said the controversy had implications for the credibility of the administration, particularly at a time Nigerians were being subjected to higher taxes, rising living costs and economic hardship in the name of sacrifice.

“You cannot preach sacrifice to hungry Nigerians while questions hang over N27 trillion worth of projects linked to your friend. That is not reform. It is an assault on public trust.”

Mr Atiku therefore challenged the Presidency to publish the procurement details, ownership structures, tax concessions and other relevant information concerning the projects reportedly identified by The Economist.

“Nigeria is a republic, not a friends-and-family investment portfolio. N27 trillion demands answers. President Tinubu must provide them,” he said.