While You Faced Forfeiture Case in US, I Was Building My University — Atiku Fires Back at Tinubu

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at President Bola Tinubu over his criticism of his investment in education.

In a statement by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused Tinubu of attempting to divert Nigerians’ attention from the hardship under his administration.

Responding to Tinubu’s question about how he was able to establish an educational institution while serving as Vice President, Atiku said his interest in education began long before he entered government.

He stated, “The answer is simple, my investment in education predates my time in public service. In 1993, while a U.S. 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.”

According to him, the academy later developed into the American University of Nigeria, adding that his business history and rise into public service are well documented.

Atiku also accused Tinubu’s administration of worsening poverty, unemployment, insecurity and the cost of living. He questioned the direction of the country, asking whether Nigerians were being led forward into deeper poverty, mounting debt, insecurity and mass unemployment.

He further criticised the government’s response to hunger, referencing the recent statement by APC campaign Director-General Abdulaziz Yari that hungry Nigerians were lazy.

Atiku said, “You created poverty, then ins¥lt the people suffering from it.”

On fuel subsidy, he said he would restore a transparent, production-based system linked to local refining if elected in 2027, promising lower energy costs.

He also declared that his Affordable Life campaign would continue despite attacks, insisting,“I will be on that ballot, and I will beat you decisively.”

Atiku concluded by saying Nigerians had tested Tinubu’s leadership and that his administration’s record would become its biggest challenge ahead of the 2027 election.