The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has denied wrongdoing in the alleged $16 billion power project scandal ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the disclosure in a statement by his media team on Wednesday.
Allegations of the mismanagement of $16 billion allocated to the National Integrated Power Projects, NIPP, were raised in connection with the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku between 1999 and 2007.
Reacting, Atiku challenged the Tinubu administration to produce evidence of wrongdoing against him.
Atiku said the sudden resurrection of allegations concerning the power sector, privatisation and public assets was a predictable attempt to divert attention from the questions confronting the Tinubu administration.
“The National Assembly investigated the power projects. I was never invited to answer any allegation of wrongdoing.
“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. The same applies to the Aluminium Smelter matter.
“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. 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. But propaganda cannot substitute for evidence,” he stated.
