Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of a conflict of interest, alleging that Tinubu's son's association with a company owned by one of the president's business allies raises ethical concerns.
Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, criticized the awarding and execution of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway contract, citing hurried processes and alleged contraventions of procurement laws. Citing a report by Africa Intelligence News Agency, Atiku emphasized the formalized business relationship between Tinubu and Chagoury, underscoring the ethical implications of such ties.
“To add insult to injury, this project that is being done in excess of $13bn was awarded without a competitive bidding. “Tinubu has been globetrotting in search of foreign direct investments. He claims to have secured over $30 billion from various companies, but none has been forthcoming. “Investors are seeing how local businesses are being treated and will not come to a place where their investments will not be protected. In saner climes, businesses such as Landmark would have been given at least two years’ notice in order for effective planning. But Tinubu’s eagerness to satisfy his business partners impaired his ability to coordinate the project properly.