• Demands disclosure of pipeline security contracts, payments
• Questions alleged links between contractors, 2027 campaign
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to open the books of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the N11.2 trillion recorded as other receivables from the Federation.
Atiku also demanded full disclosure of contracts, payments and performance records relating to pipeline security and other major government projects, while asking the administration to disclose any financial or material support allegedly provided by government contractors to Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
The former vice president made the demands in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
NNPCL’s 2025 audited financial statements recorded about N11.201 trillion under “Other receivables from Federation.” The accounts state that the figure relates to advance payments to the Federation and security costs incurred in protecting oil and gas assets.
Reacting to the figure, Atiku questioned how much was actually spent on pipeline security, who received the funds, what services were provided and what measurable results were achieved.
“At a time when bandits threaten schools and travellers fear the highways, Nigerians deserve more than a vast figure in NNPC’s accounts. What was paid? Who was paid? For what work? Where are the results?” Atiku asked.
He said the disclosure required greater public scrutiny, particularly against the backdrop of insecurity across the country.
Atiku also compared the N11.2 trillion receivable with the 2025 allocation to the Ministry of Defence, which he put at about N3.1 trillion, while acknowledging that the two figures represented different accounting categories.
According to him, the disparity nevertheless underscored the need for greater transparency over government expenditure and priorities.
Atiku queries pipeline contracts
The ADC presidential candidate further questioned the relationship between government contractors and Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
He specifically mentioned Tantita Security Services and its founder, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, in connection with pipeline surveillance contracts and alleged campaign support for the President.
Atiku also raised questions over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract involving companies associated with the Chagoury family.
He demanded the publication of procurement documents relating to the project, including invitations to bid, competing bids, evaluation reports and the final contract.
“Show us the invitations. Show us the competing bids. Show us the evaluation. Show us the contract. Why must Nigerians drag every document out of a government spending their money?” he asked.
Atiku also questioned a video in which Works Minister, David Umahi, was seen addressing a Chagoury as “my chairman”, urging the Federal Government to explain the nature of their relationship.
He demanded that the government disclose how much contractors mentioned in the controversy had received from the state and whether any of them had provided financial, logistical or other support to Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
‘Nigerians deserve accountability’
Atiku said the demand for transparency was particularly important amid the economic difficulties and insecurity confronting Nigerians.
He argued that any government asking citizens to make sacrifices should also be prepared to account for public funds.
“The roads are bad. The economy is bad. There is no light. There is no safety. Families are hungry. Yet Tinubu calls this progress. Nigerians are struggling to buy food, praying for electricity and afraid to travel,” he said.
He also criticised Tinubu’s reported comments after returning from a four-week stay in Europe, which the Presidency described as a working vacation.
Atiku said the President’s reported remarks that he “enjoyed” the trip and was “ready to kick, ready to walk” showed, in his view, a disconnect from the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians.
The ADC presidential candidate said his proposed administration would pursue a different economic direction if elected in 2027.
“Nigerians have had enough of hardship dressed up as reform. Tinubu made life expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again. Let this be the last year he asks Nigerians to suffer and applaud. In 2027, we will bring this chapter to an end,” he said.
