The former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of conflict of interest, pointing out that Tinubu's son, Seyi, is a board member of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group owned by one of the President's business allies, Gilbert Chagoury.
Atiku argued that this constitutes a conflict of interest, especially considering the Chagoury Group's involvement in the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project carried out by the Tinubu government. Atiku had earlier criticized the contract, which he described as being hurriedly awarded and executed against the country's procurement laws.
He advised Tinubu to focus on attracting real investors, rather than adopting propaganda as a state policy. Atiku disclosed that CDK Integrated Industries manufactures ceramic tiles and sanitary towels.
He added that Africa Intelligence News Agency had confirmed the business relationship between Chagoury and Tinubu, with Seyi officially a business associate of Chagoury.
Atiku argued that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was being done in a hurry because of the business relationship between Tinubu and Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of Hitech, the contractor awarded the contract for the highway project in alleged contravention of procurement laws.
Atiku further argued that rather than improving the ease of doing business, the Tinubu administration had shown that his personal business interests and that of his family would always be prioritized over national interests.
The former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has made serious allegations against President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of conflict of interest. Atiku claimed that Tinubu's son, Seyi, serves on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, which is owned by Gilbert Chagoury, one of the President's business allies. Atiku argued that this constitutes a conflict of interest, particularly given the Chagoury Group's involvement in the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project being carried out by the Tinubu government. Atiku had earlier criticized the contract, describing it as being hurriedly awarded and executed against the country's procurement laws.
Atiku's statement was issued through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in which he also berated the Federal Government and advised Tinubu to focus on attracting real investors, rather than adopting propaganda as a state policy. Atiku further revealed that CDK Integrated Industries is involved in the manufacturing of ceramic tiles and sanitary towels.
Atiku cited a report by a Paris-based Africa Intelligence News Agency, which revealed that Seyi is officially a business associate of Chagoury, and claimed that it was not surprising that the Chagoury Group had become the biggest beneficiary of the Tinubu largesse. Atiku added that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was being done in a hurry because of the business relationship between Tinubu and Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of Hitech, the contractor awarded the contract for the highway project in alleged contravention of procurement laws.
Atiku argued that rather than improving the ease of doing business, the Tinubu administration had shown that his personal business interests and those of his family would always be prioritized over national interests. He further stated that the demolition of tourist and recreational facilities and other properties within the Oniru corridor, without ample notice, was one of the reasons foreign direct investments have continued to elude the country.
Atiku advised Tinubu and his economic team to do less propaganda and focus on improving the ease of doing business as this remained the surest path to sustainability. He further argued that the awarding of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway was rushed, with the environmental impact assessment report not even completed, and the right of way for the 700 km stretch of the highway project not secured. Atiku also claimed that it was converted from a PPP to a government-funded project within the twinkle of an eye.
Atiku further alleged that the N500m approved by the National Assembly for the project was ignored, while over N1tn was released by Tinubu's administration without approval from the National Assembly. He criticized the Tinubu administration for failing to coordinate and explain why there is petrol scarcity across the country. Atiku concluded by stating that rather than prioritizing personal interests, Tinubu ought to prioritize the Nigerian people's interests.
