I Built My University In 1993 Before Becoming Vice-President’, Atiku Replies Tinubu
‘I Built My University In 1993 Before Becoming Vice-President’, Atiku Replies Tinubu
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, said his investment in education predated his entry into public office, dismissing Tinubu’s allegation that public funds were used to establish the institution.Follow Politics
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s criticism of his investment in education, insisting that he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, six years before becoming vice-president.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, said his investment in education predated his entry into public office, dismissing Tinubu’s allegation that public funds were used to establish the institution.Follow Politics
He stated this in a statement issued on Saturday by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following Tinubu’s remarks at a presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Tinubu had questioned how Atiku established a university while serving as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.
Speaking at the rally, the President challenged Atiku to explain the source of funds used to establish the institution.Follow Politics
“Ask him how he built the university while in office as vice-president in charge of our economy. Who built the university for him? It’s your money. A man without moral integrity and ethics,” Tinubu said.
However, Atiku maintained that his educational investment began before he joined the Obasanjo administration, noting that ABTI Academy, established in 1993, later developed into the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamawa State.Follow Politics
“The answer is simple: my investment in education predates my time in public service. In 1993, while a US court ordered the forfeiture of funds in an account in your name, describing them as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or funds involved in unlawful financial transactions, I was laying the foundation for ABTI Academy.
“That Academy has since grown into the American University of Nigeria,” he said.
The former vice-president further challenged Tinubu over his personal history, insisting that his own business activities and sources of wealth could be traced.Shop African Art
“That moment captures the difference between us. My history is traceable. I can show Nigerians how I built my name, achieved success in business and entered public leadership. Your own history remains clumsy and foggy. You cannot erase it by attacking my record in education,” Atiku stated.
He also accused the President of diverting attention from the economic challenges facing Nigerians by questioning his business record.Shop African Art
Atiku faulted Tinubu’s position that Nigeria could not return to petrol subsidy, questioning the direction of the administration’s economic policies.
He asked whether the country was moving towards deeper poverty, mounting debt, insecurity and mass unemployment.
The ADC presidential candidate also alleged that more than 79 million Nigerians had been pushed into extreme poverty under Tinubu’s administration.
He criticised a remark attributed to the President’s campaign Director-General describing hungry Nigerians as lazy, arguing that the government was failing to acknowledge the hardship experienced by citizens.
On his proposed economic policies, Atiku promised to introduce what he described as a transparent, production-based petrol subsidy tied to local refining.
“You say Nigeria will never return to subsidised petrol prices. You are wrong. By the grace of the Almighty and with the mandate of the Nigerian people, I will restore a transparent, production-based subsidy tied to the local refining of fuel.
“Nigerians will benefit directly through lower energy costs, including the prices of petrol and diesel,” he said.
He also promised to expand social welfare programmes and address alleged diversion of funds meant for economically vulnerable Nigerians.
Atiku served as vice-president between 1999 and 2007 and is seeking the presidency under the ADC in the 2027 general elections.
