Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Centralizing Power and Favoring Close Associates in Governance

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of transforming Nigeria into a government dominated by himself, his friends, and associates. Atiku warned that Tinubu’s actions could place the country under long-lasting restrictions, even after his presidency ends.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, Atiku claimed that Tinubu is replicating the governance style he used in Lagos at the federal level. He alleged that just as entities like Alpha Beta and Primero served as Tinubu’s proxies in Lagos, the President is now doing the same at the national level.

Atiku expressed concern over the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), specifically how its retail arm was placed under the control of OVH, a company partly owned by Wale Tinubu’s Oando.

“In October 2022, NNPC Retail controversially announced its acquisition of OVH and its filling stations. Despite already owning 550 stations nationwide, NNPC claimed it was boosting capacity by acquiring OVH’s 94 stations,” the statement read. Atiku also noted that the terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, and a Freedom of Information request for details was rejected by NNPC.

Atiku further criticized the retention of Mele Kyari as NNPC’s Group Managing Director, alleging incompetence, and questioned the appointment of Pius Akinyelure, a former ally of Tinubu, as NNPC Chairman. He also highlighted that OVH, once owned by NNPC Retail, has now acquired NNPC Retail, making Wale Tinubu’s Oando a significant shareholder in the company.

Atiku raised doubts about the ongoing legislative investigation into NNPC, expressing concern that it might lack credibility due to the close ties between the panel’s head, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and President Tinubu.

The former vice president also commented on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, labeling it fraudulent. He pointed to a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which revealed that the project is under litigation and exposed a close relationship between Tinubu’s son, Seyi, and Gilbert Chagoury, who was awarded the project contract without competitive bidding. Atiku reiterated his previous concerns about the legitimacy of the project, which the government had denied.