2027: Atiku Demands Probe, Challenges FG to Prove $16bn Power Project Fraud Allegations

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has denied any wrongdoing in the alleged $16 billion power projects scandal, challenging the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute him if evidence exists.

Atiku made his position known in a statement issued by his media team on Wednesday, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The controversy relates to allegations of mismanagement involving about $16 billion allocated to the National Integrated Power Projects, NIPP, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which lasted from 1999 to 2007.

Reacting to the renewed allegations, Atiku challenged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to produce evidence linking him to any financial misconduct.

He described the resurfacing of allegations surrounding the power sector, privatisation and public assets as a predictable attempt to divert public attention from issues confronting the current administration.

Atiku said the National Assembly had previously investigated the power projects but that he was never invited to respond to any allegation of wrongdoing.

“The National Assembly investigated the power projects. I was never invited to answer any allegation of wrongdoing,” he said.

The former vice president acknowledged that he chaired the National Council on Privatisation while serving as vice president but insisted that he disagreed with the concept of the power project and did not oversee its implementation.

“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,” Atiku stated.

He also said the same position applied to the Aluminium Smelter matter.

Atiku further challenged successive governments to provide evidence if they believed he had stolen public funds.

“I have repeatedly asked to be investigated,” he said, noting that he left office in 2007 and had spent much of the period since then opposing governments in power.

He questioned why no government had produced evidence against him before a court if there was proof of financial wrongdoing.

The development comes as political parties and major political figures begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with renewed scrutiny of past administrations and their handling of public resources.