Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute him if it has evidence linking him to the alleged $16 billion spent on Nigeria’s power projects.
Responding to renewed allegations, Atiku said the government should stop recycling accusations and instead present evidence before the appropriate authorities. His challenge was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu.
Atiku argued that the allegations are not new, noting that the National Assembly had previously investigated the power projects and that he was never invited to answer allegations of wrongdoing. He acknowledged chairing the National Council on Privatisation as vice president but said he did not preside over the implementation of the power projects.
His position was blunt:
Investigate me. Invite me. Produce the evidence. Prosecute me if you have a case. But propaganda cannot substitute for evidence.
The former vice president also accused the Tinubu administration of reviving the controversy to divert public attention from questions about revenues generated following the removal of petrol subsidy. He asked the government to account for what he described as the money saved while Nigerians continue to face rising petrol, transport and food costs.
“Where Is the People’s Money?”
Atiku’s response shifts the political argument back to one of the major issues ahead of 2027: accountability for public resources.
His argument is essentially that Nigerians were told subsidy removal would free resources for development, but many citizens are still asking what measurable improvements have resulted from those savings.
With petrol prices, transportation costs and food prices remaining major concerns for households, Atiku questioned whether the additional government revenues have been transparently accounted for. He also criticised the continuation of fiscal incentives, waivers and concessions for powerful economic interests while ordinary Nigerians bear the consequences of economic reforms.
The Political Battle Is Intensifying
This exchange shows how the 2027 campaign is increasingly becoming a battle over economic records and accountability.
The government and its supporters are likely to continue questioning the records of previous administrations, including the handling of the power sector. Atiku, meanwhile, is challenging them to move beyond political accusations and either produce evidence and prosecute him or stop using the allegations as propaganda.
At the same time, he is turning the spotlight back on the current administration with one politically potent question:
If Nigerians have endured the pain of subsidy removal, where exactly is the money that was supposed to improve their lives?
That question—and whether the government can provide convincing, measurable answers—could become a major point of contention as the road to 2027 intensifies
