By Iyiola Olalere
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to answer longstanding questions about his record in government before describing those currently managing the country as “thieves.”
Atiku, a leading opposition figure and presidential hopeful for 2027, recently said: “We are competing with thieves. They stole the election. Now they have stolen the economy. They have stolen everything.”
But in a statement signed by its Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Danjuma Sada, the group wondered how the former Vice President would, without any evidence or respect for the laws of the land, declared others as thieves when he to could be declared a bigger thief because his wealth cannot be explained even by ardent supporters.
It said: “A man whose businesses have gone under on account of unpaid loans to banks and debts to individuals has no moral authority to lecture anyone on economic management. 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.”
TSF said Atiku cannot demand that Nigerians judge the present administration while expecting his own record to be exempt from scrutiny.
“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.
“Accountability cannot be selective. Atiku should be prepared to answer the questions Nigerians have continued to ask about his years in government, it added ”
The Forum said one of the major issues requiring clarification is the privatisation programme undertaken during the administration in which Atiku served as Vice-President and Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation.
TSF noted that the NCP provided policy direction for the privatisation programme, while the Bureau of Public Enterprises handled its implementation.
“Nigerians therefore have a legitimate right to ask questions about the programme over which Atiku presided as NCP chairman.
“How were public enterprises valued? How were the transactions conducted? Did Nigerians receive fair value for the assets transferred to private interests? And what safeguards existed against political influence in the process?”
TSF recalled that former BPE Director-General Nasir El-Rufai, while appearing before a Senate committee investigating the privatisation programme in 2011, alleged that Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo had at different times sought to influence the disposal of government enterprises to their associates.
“The allegation was contested and should not be presented as a judicial finding. But it was made before a Senate investigative committee and became part of the public record.
“Atiku should therefore be willing to address the issue rather than presenting his own record as beyond scrutiny.”
TSF also pointed to the controversy surrounding the Petroleum Technology Development Fund during the Obasanjo administration.
“Again, the point is not to pronounce a conviction where none exists. The point is accountability.
“If Atiku expects Nigerians to scrutinise the economic record of the Tinubu administration, Nigerians are equally entitled to scrutinise the record of the government in which he served as Vice-President.”
TSF said the 2027 election should be a contest of records, ideas and policies rather than competing accusations.
“If Atiku believes the Nigerian economy has been ‘stolen’, he should tell Nigerians precisely what he means, provide evidence and explain what he would do differently.
“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 Forum said the Tinubu administration must equally be prepared to defend its record before Nigerians.
“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.
“Those who ask Nigerians to identify the ‘thieves’ should also be prepared to answer the questions Nigerians have about their own stewardship.
“The Nigerian people are capable of deciding who is telling the truth. They deserve the facts, the records and the opportunity to make that decision for themselves,” it said.
End