$20bn Chagoury Deals: Atiku Challenges Tinubu to Publish Contract Details

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to publish details of about $20 billion worth of government projects reportedly linked to his long-time associate, Gilbert Chagoury.

Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following a report by The Economist that raised questions over alleged cronyism, non-competitive bidding and opaque contract awards.

The former Vice-President said the reported revelations had elevated concerns over the Tinubu administration’s procurement practices from domestic criticism to what he described as an international credibility crisis.

Atiku said the value of the projects, equivalent to about N27 trillion at prevailing exchange rates, was too significant for Nigerians to ignore.

“This is not pocket change. This is an amount approaching the scale of entire national budgets,” he said.

He argued that Nigerians deserved to know how projects worth such a huge amount became concentrated around businesses linked to an individual who is a close associate of the President.

Atiku called on the Presidency to provide specific answers on the procurement process, tax concessions and the ownership structure of companies involved in the projects.

He asked: “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?”

The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the Presidency’s response to allegations of corruption and cronyism, arguing that presidential spokespersons should not be used to dismiss critics instead of addressing substantive questions.

“The Economist is not an opposition party. It is not on the ballot in 2027. The President should answer the questions it has raised,” Atiku said.

The former Vice-President maintained that the government owed Nigerians transparency over contracts involving public funds, particularly amid economic pressures facing citizens.

The controversy follows renewed scrutiny of major government projects and procurement processes under the Tinubu administration, with Atiku urging the Presidency to make the relevant contract and procurement details public.