Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has escalated his political confrontation with President Bola Tinubu, invoking a 1993 US court forfeiture case while defending his investment in education against criticism from the President.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, accused Tinubu of using personal attacks to distract Nigerians from the economic hardship and insecurity confronting the country.
In a statement issued by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice-President said his investment in education began long before he entered public office.
Responding to Tinubu’s questions about how he established an educational institution while serving as Vice-President, Atiku said he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, which later developed into the American University of Nigeria.
He contrasted that period with the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s US forfeiture case, in which funds held in an account bearing the President’s name were forfeited under a settlement involving allegations of narcotics-related proceeds or unlawful financial transactions.
Atiku argued that the contrast between their respective histories demonstrated the need for public leaders to be transparent about their backgrounds.
He accused Tinubu of attempting to discredit his educational investment rather than addressing questions about his own record.
The ADC presidential hopeful also turned his criticism to the economy, accusing the Tinubu administration of worsening poverty, unemployment, insecurity and the rising cost of living since assuming office in May 2023.
He challenged the President to explain the direction of his economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that Nigerians had yet to experience meaningful relief.
Atiku also criticised the administration’s social welfare programmes, alleging that funds meant for vulnerable Nigerians were being managed through an opaque system.
Defending his proposed Affordable Life campaign, he said his administration would prioritise social protection, lower energy costs and investments in local refining.
He further promised to introduce what he described as a transparent, production-based fuel subsidy tied to domestic refining, arguing that the policy would help reduce the cost of petrol and diesel.
Atiku accused Tinubu of attacking his campaign because it offered Nigerians an alternative to the current administration.
He insisted that he would contest the 2027 presidential election and defeat the incumbent.
The latest exchange adds to the growing political confrontation between the two leaders as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
While Atiku is positioning his Affordable Life campaign around economic recovery and social welfare, Tinubu’s supporters are expected to defend the administration’s reform agenda and record.
The dispute has also brought renewed attention to Tinubu’s past US court proceedings, although the forfeiture settlement should not be presented as a criminal conviction.