Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of allowing scandals to become a regular feature of governance, saying Nigerians now see a troubling pattern instead of isolated incidents.
Atiku Says Scandals Now Define Government
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate said the Tinubu administration has reached a point where scandals no longer appear accidental.
Atiku cited an African proverb, saying that when a man’s roof leaks every rainy season, neighbours stop blaming the rain and begin to question the strength of the house.
Consequently, he argued that Nigeria has reached that stage. According to him, the issue is no longer about one controversy after another but about a consistent pattern of governance.
“The pattern has become the real problem,” Atiku said. He added that when scandals become part of government, the administration itself becomes the scandal.
PFIPC Controversy Raises Fresh Questions
Meanwhile, Atiku described the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) as another example of what he called a growing list of scandals under the current administration.
He said Nigerians should focus not only on how often these controversies happen but also on what follows them. According to him, allegations surface, committees begin work, officials promise accountability, headlines dominate the news, and then public attention fades without clear outcomes.
Furthermore, Atiku pointed to the suspension of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu over alleged financial misconduct.
He said the government announced investigations and publicised recoveries. However, Nigerians have yet to receive a full public report explaining what happened, who faced sanctions and what measures were introduced to stop similar incidents.
NNPCL, Budget and Refinery Spending Mentioned
Meanwhile, Atiku also raised concerns about transparency at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
He said repeated calls for greater financial disclosure and institutional accountability have remained unanswered.
Furthermore, he argued that the PFIPC issue forms part of a wider pattern. He listed unresolved concerns over the Humanitarian Affairs scandal, allegations of crude oil theft, claims of illegal tanker releases, questions about the 2024 budget, spending on refinery rehabilitation, procurement disputes involving major infrastructure projects, opaque contract awards, missing procurement records and appointments involving individuals linked to unresolved allegations.
According to him, many of those issues generated public concern but ended without detailed investigative reports or public accountability.
Atiku Alleges Selective Accountability
However, Atiku alleged that the government applies accountability unevenly.
He claimed authorities move quickly when allegations involve ordinary citizens or politically vulnerable officials. He argued that investigations slow down whenever questions move closer to powerful individuals or those with political protection.
According to him, internal reviews often replace independent investigations, public updates disappear and accountability weakens.
He warned that such an approach could damage public confidence because many Nigerians may believe that different standards apply to powerful figures and ordinary citizens.
Hardship, Corruption Concerns Raised
Furthermore, Atiku said democracy depends on transparency and accountability rather than silence after public controversies.
He argued that countries lose public trust gradually whenever governments delay answers, fail to publish reports or leave major allegations unresolved.
He also said millions of Nigerians continue to face severe economic hardship under the government’s reforms while those managing public resources appear to preside over growing corruption allegations.
Atiku Challenges Tinubu
In response, Atiku urged President Bola Tinubu to address unresolved public controversies that continue to attract national attention.
He concluded by saying Nigerians now ask one question: “If every road of controversy leads back to your doorstep, then who, indeed, is the scandal?”
External Links
- African Democratic Congress (ADC): https://adc.org.ng
- Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd): https://nnpcgroup.com
- Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: https://statehouse.gov.ng
