Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at President Bola Tinubu after the latter questioned how he established a university.
Atiku said he was laying the foundation of ABTI Academy in 1993, the same year funds linked to Tinubu were forfeited in a US court proceeding.
The ADC presidential candidate made the remarks in a statement on Saturday, November 7, 2026, escalating the political exchange ahead of the 2027 elections.
Former Vice President Abubakar has reignited his political disagreement with President Bola Tinubu after bringing up the Nigerian leader’s past US forfeiture case while defending his investment in education
Abubakar said he was establishing what later became the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in 1993, when a US court ordered the forfeiture of $460,000 linked to an account in Tinubu’s name. His response followed Tinubu’s criticism of his university investment and questions about how he financed the institution while serving as vice president.
What Atiku told Tinubu about 1999
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, responded in a statement released on Saturday through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
He maintained that his investment in education started long before he entered government, insisting that his university project was not funded with public money.
The former vice president said he began laying the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993. The institution later developed into the American University of Nigeria.
In a direct message to Tinubu, he said:
“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.”
Atiku argued that his business background and investments could be traced, accusing the president of attempting to undermine his achievements by questioning his educational investment.
Atiku attacks Tinubu’s economic record
Beyond the university controversy, Atiku used his response to criticise the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy.
He accused the president of worsening the cost-of-living crisis and increasing the hardship faced by Nigerians since taking office in May 2023.
The ADC chieftain also raised concerns about poverty, insecurity, unemployment and the country’s growing debt.
Atiku claimed that more than 79 million Nigerians had been pushed into extreme poverty under Tinubu’s leadership.
He further criticised comments attributed to the president’s campaign Director-General, accusing the administration of failing to recognise the difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians.
What Atiku promised Nigerians ahead of 2027
The former vice president also defended his Affordable Life campaign, presenting it as an alternative to Tinubu’s economic policies.
He said he would introduce a transparent, production-based fuel subsidy tied to locally refined petroleum products if elected president.
According to Atiku, the proposed arrangement would help reduce energy costs, including petrol and diesel prices.
He also promised improved social welfare programmes and a different approach to supporting economically vulnerable Nigerians.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to explain how he established a university while serving in office.
Tinubu accused Atiku of being among those responsible for the hunger and economic difficulties Nigerians are currently facing.
The president made the remarks during a campaign rally in Rivers State, where he also praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
President Bola Tinubu has taken another swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, challenging him to explain how he built a university while serving as Nigeria’s vice-president. The president also blamed Atiku and other opposition figures for the country’s hunger crisis during a political rally in Rivers State on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The remarks come as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Tinubu and opposition figures exchanging criticisms over their records in government. Continue reading here.
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