Atiku fires back at Tinubu, says he laid ABTI foundation in 1993, questions $460,000 forfeiture

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hit back at President Bola Tinubu over his criticism of his investment in education, saying he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, before joining public service.

Mr Atiku also revisited the controversy surrounding the forfeiture of $460,000 in a United States bank account linked to Mr Tinubu, challenging the President’s record and questioning his moral authority to criticise his business history.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the 2027 general election described Mr Tinubu’s comments on his educational investment as an attempt to divert attention from the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.

Atiku’s response was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

The former vice president was reacting to the President’s latest remarks questioning how he established an educational institution while serving as vice president.

Responding, Atiku said his investment in education predated his involvement in government, insisting that the establishment of ABTI Academy in 1993 was evidence of his longstanding interest in education.

He said the institution had subsequently developed into the American University of Nigeria.

“The answer is simple: my investment in education predates my time in public service. In 1993, while a U.S. court ordered the forfeiture of funds in an account in your name, describing them as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or funds involved in unlawful financial transactions, I was laying the foundation for ABTI Academy,” he said.

The former vice president added that the academy had since grown into the American University of Nigeria.

He argued that his business history was traceable and challenged Tinubu to address questions surrounding his own past rather than criticise his investment in education.

“That moment captures the difference between us. My history is traceable. I can show Nigerians how I built my name, achieved success in business and entered public leadership. Your own history remains clumsy and foggy. You cannot erase it by attacking my record in education,” he said.

Atiku also faulted the Tinubu administration over the rising cost of living, poverty, unemployment and insecurity, arguing that the President had little justification for seeking another term in office.

He accused the government of worsening economic hardship since assuming office in May 2023, claiming that more than 79 million Nigerians had been pushed into extreme poverty.

The ADC candidate also criticised a recent comment attributed to the Director-General of the President’s campaign, who reportedly described hungry Nigerians as lazy.

He said the remark reflected what he described as the administration’s failure to acknowledge the hardship confronting citizens.

“You created poverty, then insult the people suffering from it. You attack my Affordable Life campaign, but the people you are really attacking are the millions of Nigerians desperate for relief from your failed leadership,” he said.

Atiku further questioned the government’s economic reform agenda, particularly its position that Nigeria could not return to subsidised petrol prices.

He said his proposed administration would introduce what he called a transparent, production-based subsidy linked to local refining.

According to him, the arrangement would ensure that Nigerians benefit directly from lower energy costs, including the prices of petrol and diesel.

“You say Nigeria will never return to subsidised petrol prices. You are wrong. By the grace of the Almighty and with the mandate of the Nigerian people, I will restore a transparent, production-based subsidy tied to the local refining of fuel,” he said.