Can Atiku Call Others “Thieves” Without Answering Questions About His Own Record? — TSF

Oru Leonard 

The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF), has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to answer longstanding questions about his record in government before describing those currently managing the country as “thieves.”

Atiku, a leading opposition figure and presidential hopeful for 2027, recently said: “We are competing with thieves. They stole the election. Now they have stolen the economy. They have stolen everything.”

Reacting in a statement signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, the TSF questioned Atiku’s basis for making such sweeping allegations, arguing that political criticism should be backed by evidence and subjected to the same standards of accountability expected from others.

The group said Atiku should not present his own record as beyond scrutiny, particularly given controversies surrounding his years in government.
“A man whose businesses have gone under on account of unpaid loans to banks and debts to individuals has no moral authority to lecture anyone on economic management,” the group said.

It added that anyone seeking public office should be prepared to account for decisions taken while occupying positions of responsibility.

The TSF said one of the major issues requiring clarification was the privatisation programme undertaken during the administration in which Atiku served as Vice-President and Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

According to the group, while the NCP provided policy direction for the privatisation programme, the Bureau of Public Enterprises handled its implementation.
“Nigerians therefore have a legitimate right to ask questions about the programme over which Atiku presided as NCP chairman.

“How were public enterprises valued? How were the transactions conducted?

Did Nigerians receive fair value for the assets transferred to private interests? And what safeguards existed against political influence in the process?” it asked.

The forum recalled that former BPE Director-General, Nasir El-Rufai, while appearing before a Senate committee investigating the privatisation programme in 2011, alleged that Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo had at different times sought to influence the disposal of government enterprises to their associates.

The TSF, however, stressed that the allegation was contested and should not be presented as a judicial finding, but said it remained part of the public record.
“Atiku should therefore be willing to address the issue rather than presenting his own record as beyond scrutiny,” the group said.

The forum also referenced controversies surrounding the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) during the Obasanjo administration, saying its position was not to pronounce guilt where none had been established but to demand accountability from political actors.
“If Atiku expects Nigerians to scrutinise the economic record of the Tinubu administration, Nigerians are equally entitled to scrutinise the record of the government in which he served as Vice-President,” it said.

The TSF said the 2027 election should be about records, ideas and policies rather than competing accusations.
“If Atiku believes the Nigerian economy has been ‘stolen’, he should tell Nigerians precisely what he means, provide evidence and explain what he would do differently,” it said.

The group challenged Atiku and other presidential contenders to explain their positions on foreign exchange reforms, fuel subsidy, revenue mobilisation, investment, taxation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.
“Which reforms would they retain, which would they reverse, and what would they replace them with?” it asked.

The TSF maintained that the Tinubu administration must also be prepared to defend its record before Nigerians.
“Let the Tinubu administration defend its record. Let Atiku defend his record. Let every presidential contender put his policies, achievements and past decisions before Nigerians.

“Then Nigerians can decide who has served the country better.
“Those who ask Nigerians to identify the ‘thieves’ should also be prepared to answer the questions Nigerians have about their own stewardship.

“The Nigerian people are capable of deciding who is telling the truth. They deserve the facts, the records and the opportunity to make that decision for themselves,” it said.