The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has challenged former Vice-President and 2027 presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, to account for his record in government before accusing those currently managing the country of “stealing” the economy.
The group was reacting to recent remarks by Atiku, in which he alleged that those in power had “stolen the election” and “stolen the economy,” insisting that the former Vice-President should be prepared to subject his own record to the same scrutiny he demands of the present administration.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, the TSF said Atiku’s comments were unacceptable without evidence, arguing that his own years in government remained subject to legitimate questions from Nigerians.
The group said Atiku, who served as Vice-President under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, should explain issues surrounding his stewardship, particularly the privatisation of public enterprises during the administration.
“A man who presided over the most shady sale of national assets at scandalous prices should not point his index finger at others because three others point directly at him,” the group said.
TSF noted that the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which Atiku chaired, provided policy direction for the privatisation programme, while the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) handled its implementation.
It said Nigerians were therefore entitled to ask how public enterprises were valued, how transactions were conducted, whether the country received fair value for assets transferred to private interests and what safeguards were put in place against political influence.
The forum also recalled allegations made by former BPE Director-General, Nasir El-Rufai, before a Senate committee investigating the privatisation programme in 2011, that Atiku and Obasanjo had at different times sought to influence the disposal of government enterprises to their associates.
TSF, however, stressed that the allegations were contested and should not be treated as judicial findings, but maintained that they formed part of the public record and should be addressed by Atiku.
The group also raised questions over controversies surrounding the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) during the Obasanjo administration, saying its position was not to pronounce guilt but to demand accountability from political leaders seeking the mandate of Nigerians.
“Since Atiku has chosen to make the word ‘thieves’ central to his political argument, Nigerians are entitled to examine the records of everyone seeking their votes in 2027, including those who have previously held positions of responsibility,” TSF said.
It added that accountability must not be selective, insisting that Atiku should explain his record just as the Tinubu administration must defend its own performance before Nigerians.
According to the forum, the 2027 election should be about records, ideas and policies rather than competing accusations.
It challenged Atiku to explain his alternative economic policies on foreign exchange reforms, fuel subsidy, revenue mobilisation, taxation, infrastructure, investment and private-sector participation.
“What is his alternative on foreign exchange reform, fuel subsidy, revenue mobilisation, investment, taxation, infrastructure and private-sector participation? Which reforms would he retain, which would he reverse, and what would he replace them with?” the group asked.
TSF said the Tinubu administration should equally be prepared to defend its record before Nigerians, adding that every presidential contender should present his policies, achievements and past decisions for public scrutiny.
“Let the Tinubu administration defend its record. Let Atiku defend his record. Let every presidential contender put his policies, achievements and past decisions before Nigerians.
“Then Nigerians can decide who has served the country better,” the forum said.
