Tinubu’s pipeline deals stink of campaign financing — Atiku

ABUJA – Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that contracts awarded by the President Bola Tinubu administration for pipeline security may be linked to the President’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Atiku’s allegation came against the backdrop of N11.2 trillion in ‘other receivables’ from the Federation recorded in the 2025 accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, with the former Vice President demanding a full account of what was spent on pipeline surveillance and who received the money.

In a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication, ADC Presidential Campaign Council, on Sunday, Atiku also questioned the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract and the relationship between government contractors and Tinubu’s re-election activities.

“A mother should not have to pray her child survives the journey to school while her government cannot plainly explain the billions it spends on security. Tinubu must answer to the people living with these choices,” Atiku said.

He said NNPCL’s 2024 accounts recorded roughly N17.5 trillion across different claims on the Federation, including petrol under-recovery and other receivables linked to advances and asset protection.

“Nigerians cannot tell from these totals what was spent on pipeline surveillance. What was paid? Who was paid? For what work? Where are the results?” he asked.

Atiku also questioned the scale of the N11.2 trillion receivables against the approximately N3.1 trillion allocated to the Ministry of Defence in 2025, while acknowledging that the figures belonged to different accounting categories.

Turning to the contractors, he cited Tantita’s pipeline-security contract and the campaign activities of its founder, as well as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract involving a Chagoury-linked company.

“Tinubu must disclose what these contractors have received from the government and whether they have given a naira, a vehicle or any other support to his re-election. Nigerians will not tighten their belts while the President’s associates collect contracts and the money behind his campaign remains hidden,” he said.

Atiku demanded the release of the documents behind the coastal highway award, including the invitations, competing bids, evaluation and contract, after the government said the project was awarded through restricted bidding.

He also criticised Tinubu’s remarks after returning from his four-week stay in Europe, which the Presidency described as a working vacation.

“Nigerians have had enough of hardship dressed up as reform. Tinubu made life expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again. Let this be the last year he asks Nigerians to suffer and applaud. In 2027, we will bring this chapter to an end,” Atiku said.