African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded a detailed explanation of the ₦11.2 trillion reportedly recorded as receivables from the Federal Government in the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
He also called for disclosure of financial and material contributions made by government contractors to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, arguing that Nigerians deserved to know the relationship between public contracts and political support.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the former vice president questioned how much of NNPC Ltd’s claims related to pipeline protection, who received payments and what services were delivered.
According to Atiku, the company’s 2024 accounts recorded approximately ₦17.5 trillion across several claims on the Federation, including petrol under-recovery and receivables associated with advances and asset protection. He said its 2025 accounts showed about ₦11.2 trillion in other receivables from the Federation.
“Nigerians cannot tell from these totals what was spent on pipeline surveillance. What was paid? Who was paid? For what work? Where are the results?” he asked.
Atiku said the size of the claims required a fuller explanation, particularly against the backdrop of insecurity and the resources allocated to national defence.
He compared the ₦11.2 trillion figure with the approximately ₦3.1 trillion allocated to the Ministry of Defence in 2025, while acknowledging that the figures belonged to different accounting categories.
“These figures belong to different accounting categories, but their contrast is stark: under Tinubu, sums tied to the oil sector dwarf the resources allocated to defend the country. That is a damning measure of this administration’s priorities,” he said.
The ADC candidate said Nigerians facing attacks, unsafe roads and threats to schools needed expenditure records that explained both the purpose of payments and their results.
“Think of the soldier sent to confront terrorists. Think of the parent waiting outside a school after hearing that bandits have struck. Think of the family unable to reach a loved one on the highway. They deserve more than one vast figure in NNPC’s accounts,” he said.
He questioned why the government could justify spending on pipeline protection while, in his view, failing to provide comparable assurances about citizens’ safety.
Atiku also raised concerns about government contractors supporting Tinubu’s second-term bid. He cited Tantita’s pipeline security contract and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway contract awarded to the Chagourys’ company.
He alleged that Tantita’s founder had provided campaign vehicles for the President’s re-election effort and questioned the procurement process for the coastal highway project.
“Tinubu’s government says it used restricted bidding. Then show us the invitations. Show us the competing bids. Show us the evaluation. Show us the contract. Why must Nigerians drag every document out of a government spending their money?” he asked.
Referring to footage which he said showed the Minister of Works addressing a Chagoury as “my chairman,” Atiku declared that “a minister’s chairman should be the Nigerian people.”
He demanded disclosure of government payments to the contractors and any support they had provided for the President’s campaign.
“Tinubu must disclose what these contractors have received from the government and whether they have given a naira, a vehicle or any other support to his re-election,” he said.
Atiku maintained that an administration asking citizens to endure economic sacrifices must provide a transparent account of public spending. He argued that the government’s claims of progress did not match the experiences of families struggling with food prices, unreliable electricity and insecurity.
“Nigerians have had enough of hardship dressed up as reform. Tinubu made life expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again,” he said.
The former vice president also criticised comments attributed to Tinubu on his return from a four-week stay in Europe, which the Presidency described as a working vacation.
He quoted the President as saying, “I enjoyed myself. Fantastic,” and, when asked about his health, “Ready to kick, ready to walk.”
Atiku described the remarks as insensitive to the economic pressures confronting Nigerians, saying they demonstrated a disconnect between the Presidency and citizens’ daily experiences.
