The All Progressives Congress (APC) has renewed its criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his suitability to lead Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The ruling party said Nigerians should carefully consider Atiku’s past record in public service before deciding who should manage the country’s resources.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, alleged that several controversies linked to the former vice president over the years raised concerns about accountability and transparency.
The party specifically mentioned the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project dispute, the Siemens bribery case, the William Jefferson investigation, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) controversy and a United States Senate report on suspicious financial transactions.
According to the APC, these issues had been documented in official records, investigations and reports, adding that they remained part of public discussions about Atiku’s political career.
The party said: “The media and public discourse have been awash with damning reports of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s alleged dealings in local and international bribery and corruption schemes.”
The APC further stated that the 2027 election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to make a decision on Atiku’s return bid.
“Nigeria’s upcoming presidential election presents the electorate the opportunity to deal a final blow to Atiku’s desperate quest for presidential power and save the country from his ravenous plunder,” the party said.
On the Mambilla project, the APC referred to proceedings before an International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Tribunal in Paris involving allegations surrounding a payment reportedly made to Jennifer Douglas, Atiku’s former wife.
The party also revisited the Siemens bribery controversy, alleging that investigations by foreign authorities raised questions about transactions linked to people close to the former vice president.
It further cited the William Jefferson case in the United States and a 2010 report by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations as part of its concerns.
The APC also criticised Atiku’s position on fuel subsidy, accusing him of changing his earlier stance after supporting subsidy removal in the past.
The party argued that the promise to restore fuel subsidy would affect the country’s economic direction and undermine reforms introduced by the current administration.
The statement also referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s past comments about Atiku, quoting him as saying:
“The man I picked as my running mate, my number two, if I had known him as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him.”
The APC said the comment reflected concerns about Atiku’s suitability for the presidency.
However, Atiku Abubakar has consistently denied allegations of corruption against him, describing many of the claims as politically motivated.
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