Atiku Defends Education Investment, Says ABTI Academy Predates VP Tenure
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has defended his investment in education, insisting that the foundation for ABTI Academy was laid in 1993, years before he became Nigeria’s vice-president.
Atiku was responding to President Bola Tinubu’s remarks at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, where the president questioned how the former vice-president funded a university while serving in public office.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said his investment in education predated his involvement in government.
He explained that ABTI Academy, established in 1993, later developed into the American University of Nigeria (AUN), dismissing suggestions that his educational investments were linked to his tenure in public office.
Atiku also referenced a United States court case involving Tinubu, accusing the president of attempting to distract Nigerians from his administration’s performance by questioning his business history.
The ADC candidate maintained that his financial and business records were traceable and could not be discredited through political attacks.
He further criticised Tinubu’s economic policies, accusing the administration of worsening poverty, unemployment, insecurity and the rising cost of living.
Atiku claimed that more than 79 million Nigerians had been pushed into extreme poverty under the current administration, arguing that the president had failed to justify another mandate.
On petrol pricing, the former vice-president rejected Tinubu’s position that Nigeria could not return to subsidised fuel prices, promising to introduce what he described as a transparent, production-based subsidy linked to domestic refining if elected in 2027.
He said the proposed policy would reduce energy costs and make petrol and diesel more affordable for Nigerians.
Atiku also promised stronger social welfare programmes and greater transparency in the distribution of assistance to economically vulnerable citizens.
Describing his “Affordable Life” campaign as an alternative to the Tinubu administration, the ADC presidential candidate insisted that political attacks would not prevent him from contesting the 2027 election.
He expressed confidence that he would defeat Tinubu at the polls, promising to lead Nigeria towards prosperity, growth and development if elected president.
