Atiku: I began ABTI Academy in 1993, Tinubu forfeited $460,000
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to distract Nigerians from his administration’s performance by questioning the source of funding for his investment in education.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said his investment in education predated his tenure as vice president, disclosing that he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, which later developed into the American University of Nigeria.
He also alleged that Tinubu forfeited $460,000 in the United States following a court order over funds described in court proceedings as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or funds connected with unlawful financial transactions.
Atiku made the remarks in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, in response to Tinubu’s criticism of his investment in education.
According to Atiku, his educational investment began long before he ventured into public office, insisting that his business and public service records were traceable.
“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.
“That Academy has since grown into the American University of Nigeria,” he said.
Atiku described Tinubu’s criticism as an attempt to divert attention from the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, arguing that the President had no justification for seeking another mandate after three and a half years in office.
He accused the administration of worsening poverty, unemployment, insecurity and the cost of living, claiming that more than 79 million Nigerians had been pushed into extreme poverty.
The former vice president also faulted the government’s handling of the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that Nigerians had been subjected to rising energy costs without adequate measures to cushion the impact.
He further criticised a comment attributed to the Director-General of Tinubu’s campaign, who reportedly described hungry Nigerians as lazy.
“How can you solve a problem you refuse to acknowledge?” Atiku asked, accusing the administration of insulting citizens struggling with economic hardship.
He also defended his Affordable Life campaign, saying it was designed to provide an alternative to what he described as the hardship imposed on Nigerians by the Tinubu administration.
On his proposed economic policies, Atiku said he would restore what he described as a transparent, production-based petrol subsidy tied to domestic refining if elected president in 2027.
He said the policy would reduce energy costs, including the prices of petrol and diesel, while promising increased investment in social welfare programmes.
“My administration will make deliberate investments in social welfare and end the opaque system your government uses to divert money meant for economically vulnerable Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku further accused the President of seeking to prevent him from participating in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he would be on the ballot and defeat Tinubu.
He said his campaign would remain focused on restoring economic prosperity, growth and development, adding that the President’s record in office would constitute a major challenge to his re-election bid.
“My Affordable Life campaign will not be silenced by your insults or your threats. I will lead Nigeria back to prosperity, growth and development,” he said.
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