Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has linked the controversial ₦11.2 trillion recorded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as receivables from the Federation to questions surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Atiku is demanding that the Federal Government open up the NNPCL books and explain how the huge sum was spent, particularly money said to be connected with the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas assets.
He also wants the administration to disclose the contractors involved, how much they received and whether companies benefiting from government contracts have provided financial or material support for Tinubu’s bid for another term.
The demand was contained in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
NNPCL’s 2025 audited accounts reportedly recorded about ₦11.2 trillion as “other receivables from the Federation”, relating to advance payments to the Federation and costs incurred in securing the country’s oil and gas assets.
Atiku said the figure required more than an accounting entry, insisting that Nigerians deserved to know exactly where the money went.
He questioned how much was spent on pipeline surveillance, who received the payments, what jobs were carried out and what results were achieved.
“what was paid? Who was paid? For what work? Where are the results?” Atiku asked.
The ADC candidate also compared the ₦11.2 trillion figure with the approximately ₦3.1 trillion allocated to the Ministry of Defence in 2025.
While acknowledging that the figures belong to different accounting categories, Atiku argued that the contrast raised questions about government spending priorities, particularly at a time Nigerians continue to grapple with insecurity.
He said families worried about attacks on schools, highways and communities deserved clear explanations of how billions being spent in the name of security were being deployed.
But the former vice president’s biggest political question centred on the relationship between government contractors and Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
Atiku cited Tantita Security Services, which he said holds a pipeline security contract, and its founder’s reported involvement in activities supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He also raised questions over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract involving companies linked to the Chagoury family.
Atiku challenged the Federal Government to publish the procurement documents, including invitations to bidders, competing bids, evaluation reports and the contract itself.
“Show us the invitations. Show us the competing bids. Show us the evaluation. Show us the contract,” he said.
He further questioned footage showing Works Minister David Umahi addressing a Chagoury as “my chairman”, demanding that the government explain the relationship.
Atiku wants the administration to disclose what contractors mentioned in the controversy have received from government and whether they have contributed money, vehicles or other support to Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
He argued that Nigerians facing economic hardship deserved transparency from a government asking them to make sacrifices.
The former vice president also attacked Tinubu over the country’s worsening economic and security challenges, saying Nigerians were struggling with high living costs, poor roads, electricity problems and insecurity.
Atiku further criticised the President’s comments after his recent four-week stay in Europe, described by the Presidency as a working vacation.
Tinubu had reportedly said he “enjoyed” the trip and was “ready to kick, ready to walk”, comments Atiku described as evidence of a disconnect between the President and the realities facing ordinary Nigerians.
Atiku said Nigerians had endured enough hardship under the present administration and promised that the 2027 election would provide an opportunity for change.
“Tinubu made life expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again,” he said, declaring that 2027 would bring the chapter to an end.
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