The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the Federal Government to investigate him over allegations surrounding the $16 billion National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) scandal.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his media team on Wednesday, denied any wrongdoing in the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated to the power projects during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007.
The allegations have resurfaced ahead of the 2027 general elections, with claims linking the former Vice President to issues surrounding the NIPP projects, privatisation and management of public assets.
Reacting, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to divert attention from pressing national issues by reviving old allegations.
He said the National Assembly had previously investigated the power projects but that he was never invited to respond to any allegations of misconduct.
“At the time, I chaired the National Council on Privatisation as Vice President. However, on the power project, I disagreed with its concept and did not supervise its implementation. The responsible minister did,” Atiku stated.
He added that the same position applied to the Aluminium Smelter project, insisting that he had no role in their execution.
The former Vice President said he had repeatedly called for investigations into his activities, challenging authorities to present evidence of corruption if any existed.
“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?” he asked.
Atiku urged the government to proceed with a formal investigation, prosecution or court action if there was a genuine case against him, stressing that allegations without evidence amounted to political propaganda.
“Investigate me. Invite me. Produce the evidence. Prosecute me if you have a case. But propaganda cannot substitute for evidence,” he said.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.