- Atiku Abubakar criticises the Tinubu government for allegedly spending ₦17.5tn on pipeline security in one year, calling it opaque and fiscally reckless.
- He demands full disclosure of contractors, forensic auditing of all expenditures, and accountability, arguing the funds could instead transform power, refineries, and healthcare.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the Tinubu administration on Sunday, November 30, over reports that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) spent ₦17.5 trillion in one year on fuel pipeline security. He called the spending “unprecedented and alarming.”
Meanwhile, Atiku compared the alleged expenditure to Nigeria’s fuel subsidy over 12 years, which totalled roughly ₦18 trillion and helped millions of citizens by stabilising transport and food costs. He said the government channelled almost the same amount in a single year into opaque contracts linked to presidential associates. Furthermore, he described this as “grand larceny dressed as public expenditure.”
He questioned the government’s justification for removing the subsidy, noting that Nigerians were told to endure hardship while ₦17.5 trillion was allocated to contracts that could have funded power, refineries, or universal healthcare.
Atiku demanded a forensic audit and full disclosure of all companies involved. He called for a halt to further spending until officials ensure accountability.
He also highlighted NNPCL records showing ₦7.13 trillion spent on “energy-security costs” and ₦8.67 trillion on “under-recovery.” Atiku described these labels as opaque terms designed to obscure continued support for petrol prices.
He said the spending represents a moral breach and a warning for full accountability, noting that no administration with such fiscal recklessness can demand sacrifices from citizens.