The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what it described as one of the “most brazen financial scandals” in Nigeria’s history, following reports that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) spent ₦17.5 trillion in just 12 months on pipeline protection and related expenses.

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Atiku’s Camp Criticizes Government Spending

In a statement, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, compared the alleged spending to Nigeria’s 12-year fuel subsidy bill, calling it:

“Grand larceny dressed as public expenditure.”

Ibe highlighted that while ₦18 trillion was spent over 12 years on fuel subsidies benefiting millions of Nigerians, nearly the same amount was reportedly spent in a single year on pipeline security contracts linked to private firms and associates of the presidency.

“Indeed, the action of the President is akin to robbing Peter (Nigerians) to pay Paul (cronies),” Ibe added.

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Questions Raised About the Spending

Atiku’s media office raised several concerns, including:

• Why pipeline protection costs reportedly rose 38.7%, from ₦6.25 trillion in 2024 to ₦8.67 trillion in 2025.
• Why the government justified fuel subsidy removal while allegedly redirecting similar funds to private contractors.
• The identity of companies benefiting from the contracts, the scope and deliverables of each contract, and the justification for the sharp spending increase.

Ibe criticized terms like “energy-security cost” and “under-recovery” as opaque labels designed to mask ongoing subsidy payments.

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Calls for Transparency

The statement demanded that the Tinubu administration:

• Publish the full list of contract beneficiaries and contract terms.
• Subject the ₦17.5 trillion expenditure to an independent forensic audit.
• Halt further disbursements pending accountability.
• Explain how such spending aligns with national priorities amid soaring inflation, a weakening naira, and increasing hunger.

“Nigerians deserve transparency, not deceit. They deserve leadership, not cronyism. And they deserve a government that places national interest above private enrichment,” Ibe said.