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Samuel Ogidan
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has intensified his criticism of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that recurring controversies under the government have created a pattern that is undermining public confidence in governance.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that scandals have become a recurring feature of the Tinubu administration rather than isolated incidents.
According to him, the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) is the latest in a series of unresolved public controversies, which he said have fuelled concerns over transparency and accountability in government.
The former vice president contended that Nigerians have repeatedly witnessed allegations followed by investigations that, in his view, fail to produce comprehensive public reports or visible accountability.
He cited unresolved issues relating to the humanitarian affairs ministry, financial transparency at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), refinery rehabilitation spending, procurement controversies and budget-related concerns as examples of matters that deserve fuller public explanation.
Atiku further alleged that investigations involving politically influential individuals often lose momentum, creating what he described as a selective system of accountability that weakens public trust in democratic institutions.
He said millions of Nigerians continue to endure economic hardship while questions persist over the management of public resources, insisting that the sacrifices demanded of citizens should be matched by greater transparency and responsible governance.
The ADC presidential candidate called on President Tinubu to order an independent investigation into the PFIPC controversy and make the findings public, saying such a move would demonstrate the administration’s commitment to accountability.
Atiku noted that his latest statement comes less than 48 hours after he gave the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to provide a full account of the PFIPC matter, adding that five days remain before the deadline expires.
He urged the Presidency to disclose who established the alleged organisation, who authorised its activities and who should be held accountable if any wrongdoing is established.
The former vice president also said the President should address other longstanding public controversies that have remained subjects of public debate, arguing that openness and transparency are essential to strengthening public confidence in government.
He maintained that history ultimately judges governments not by the allegations they face but by how they respond to demands for accountability, warning that failure to provide credible explanations would further erode public trust.