Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of conflicts of interest, alleging that Tinubu’s son, Seyi, holds a director position on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a company linked to businessman Gilbert Chagoury. Atiku claims this relationship has resulted in preferential treatment for Chagoury’s businesses, particularly in the construction of the Lagos-Calabar highway.
Atiku’s allegations stem from a report by the Paris-based Africa Intelligence News Agency, which disclosed Seyi Tinubu’s business ties with Chagoury, established through the Corporate Affairs Commission. Atiku asserts that this connection has significantly benefitted Chagoury, particularly with the assignment of the Lagos-Calabar highway project to Chagoury’s construction firm, Hitech, without a competitive bidding process.
The former Vice President emphasized the problematic nature of this project, which, at over $13 billion, stands as the most expensive single project undertaken by the Nigerian government, especially during an economic crisis. Atiku criticized the lack of transparency and the rapid progress of the project as indicative of a relationship that places personal and familial business interests above national welfare.
Moreover, Atiku pointed to the demolition of tourist and recreational facilities in the Oniru corridor, including parts of Landmark, without sufficient notice, as a deterrent to foreign direct investment and a poor reflection on Nigeria’s business environment. He accused the Tinubu administration of sacrificing the ease of doing business and national interest for personal gain.
In his statement, Atiku called for less propaganda from Tinubu and his team and urged a focus on policies that improve the business environment, which he believes is the only sustainable path forward for Nigeria. Atiku’s critique highlights concerns over governance practices and the prioritization of personal interests in government projects, urging a reevaluation of priorities to foster a more transparent and investment-friendly atmosphere in Nigeria.
