Atiku fires back at Tinubu over education, invokes 1993 US forfeiture case
Atiku Abubakar has responded to President Tinubu's question about how he founded an educational institution while serving as Vice President. In a statement by his aide Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said his investment in education predates public service—he began laying the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, which later became the American University of Nigeria.
Atiku contrasted this with a 1993 US court order that mandated forfeiture of funds in an account bearing Tinubu's name, described as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or unlawful financial transactions. He accused the Tinubu administration of worsening poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and rising living costs, and criticized APC campaign DG Abdulaziz Yari's reported comment calling hungry Nigerians "lazy."
Atiku promised a transparent, production-based fuel subsidy system linked to domestic refining if elected in 2027, declaring: "I will be on that ballot, and I will beat you decisively." He insisted his "Affordable Life" campaign continues despite ruling party attacks.
With 2027 approaching, the exchange signals early campaign hostilities. The 1993 forfeiture claim remains legally contested—Tinubu has previously denied wrongdoing and the case did not result in criminal conviction. Nigerians will weigh these competing narratives against their daily economic reality.
Will you judge 2027 candidates by their past records or their proposed solutions to today's crises?