2027: Tinubu challenges Atiku to explain how he built university as Vice President
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to explain how he established a private university while serving as Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday, November 7, during an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he accused Atiku of benefiting from public resources to establish his educational institution.
The President questioned how Atiku funded the university while serving as Vice President and overseeing the country's economy.
“Atiku was one of them. Ask him how he built a university while in office as Vice President in charge of our economy. Who built the university for him? It’s your money, it’s your effort,” Tinubu said.
He also questioned Atiku’s moral integrity and suitability for public office, accusing previous administrations of contributing to the economic challenges Nigerians are currently facing.
Atiku responds, says investment began before becoming Vice President
However, Atiku rejected Tinubu’s allegation, insisting that his investment in education started years before he assumed public office.
In a response issued through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, six years before becoming Vice President.
He explained that the institution later developed into the American University of Nigeria (AUN), located in Yola, Adamawa State.
Atiku further accused Tinubu of attempting to divert public attention from the economic challenges facing Nigerians by questioning his business and educational investments.
The former Vice President also defended his proposed economic policies under his Affordable Life campaign, promising to introduce a transparent, production-based fuel subsidy tied to local refining if elected in 2027.
The exchange adds another dimension to the growing political confrontation between Tinubu and Atiku ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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