Atiku counters Tinubu, says he invested in schooling earlier than changing into VP

 Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African
Democratic Congress (ADC), has defended his funding in schooling, saying he
laid the inspiration for ABTI Academy in 1993, years earlier than changing into
vice-president.

 

Atiku was reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s remarks on the
APC presidential marketing campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on Saturday,
the place he questioned how the previous vice-president funded a college whereas
serving in public workplace.

Tinubu requested how Atiku might have constructed a college whereas
serving as vice-president and overseeing the nation’s financial system, questioning
whether or not public sources have been used for the venture.

In an announcement issued on Saturday by Phrank Shaibu, director
of strategic communication of the ADC presidential marketing campaign council, Atiku mentioned
his funding in schooling predated his time in public service.

He additionally accused Tinubu of making an attempt to distract Nigerians
from the efficiency of his administration by questioning his file in
schooling.

“The reply is easy: my funding in schooling predates
my time in public service. In 1993, whereas a U.S. courtroom ordered the forfeiture
of funds in an account in your identify, describing them as proceeds of narcotics
trafficking or funds concerned in illegal monetary transactions, I used to be laying
the inspiration for ABTI Academy,” he mentioned.

“That Academy has since grown into the American University
of Nigeria.”

Atiku mentioned his enterprise historical past was traceable and that
Tinubu couldn’t undermine his file by attacking his funding in schooling.

He additionally criticised the president’s financial insurance policies,
accusing his administration of worsening poverty, unemployment, insecurity and
the price of dwelling.

He claimed that greater than 79 million Nigerians had been
pushed into excessive poverty below Tinubu’s administration.

“A president who has plunged the nation right into a crushing
cost-of-living disaster has no enterprise asking Nigerians for an additional mandate. The
actual dialog concerning the 2027 election is tips on how to restore the injury your
authorities has carried out,” he mentioned.

Atiku additionally faulted Tinubu’s place that Nigeria couldn’t
return to subsidised petrol costs, saying his administration, if elected,
would introduce a clear, production-based subsidy tied to native gasoline
refining.

“You say Nigeria won’t ever return to subsidised petrol
costs. You are mistaken. By the grace of the Almighty and with the mandate of the
Nigerian folks, I’ll restore a clear, production-based subsidy tied to
the native refining of gasoline,” Atiku mentioned.

“Nigerians will profit straight by decrease power prices,
together with the costs of petrol and diesel.”

He additional promised to put money into social welfare and finish what
he described as an opaque system for distributing funds meant for economically
weak Nigerians.

Atiku mentioned his “Affordable Life” marketing campaign represented an
various to the present administration’s insurance policies and wouldn’t be silenced
by assaults from the president.

“You need me off the poll in any respect prices, however the will of
the Nigerian folks will prevail. I shall be on that poll, and I’ll beat you
decisively,” he mentioned.

The ADC presidential candidate mentioned he would lead Nigeria
in direction of prosperity, development, and improvement if elected in 2027.

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