Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu over his comments on the establishment of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), insisting that his investment in education began years before he assumed public office.
Atiku’s reaction followed Tinubu’s remarks at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where the President questioned how the former Vice President financed the establishment of a university while serving in government.
In a statement issued by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku maintained that the foundation of ABTI Academy, which later developed into the American University of Nigeria, was laid in 1993, six years before he became Vice President.
He also brought up the 1993 United States court forfeiture case involving funds in an account linked to Tinubu, drawing a comparison between the two politicians’ histories.
Atiku insisted that his business and educational investments were established before his involvement in public office, describing his record as transparent and traceable.
The former Vice President further accused Tinubu of attempting to shift public attention away from the economic challenges facing Nigerians by questioning his investment in education.
Turning his attention to the country’s economic situation, Atiku criticised the Tinubu administration over the rising cost of living, poverty, insecurity, unemployment and mounting national debt.
He argued that the central issue ahead of the 2027 general election should be how to address the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians rather than engaging in personal attacks over business investments.
Atiku also challenged the President’s position against returning to fuel subsidy, questioning the direction of the administration’s economic policies.
The ADC presidential candidate maintained that Nigeria needed a different economic approach, promising that his proposed administration would introduce a transparent, production-based fuel subsidy tied to local refining if elected in 2027.
He said the proposed policy would help reduce energy costs, particularly the prices of petrol and diesel, while also promising expanded social welfare programmes for vulnerable Nigerians.
