Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has written an opinion article disputing claims made by Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria. Fani-Kayode's article seeks to correct what he sees as inaccuracies in Atiku's record, particularly regarding his presidential ambitions. Atiku has indeed sought the presidency in different political cycles since 1993, but Fani-Kayode argues that his claims are exaggerated or taken out of context. This has sparked a debate on Nigerian politics, with both sides presenting their views.
One of the main points of contention is Atiku's number of presidential attempts. Fani-Kayode claims that Atiku has made seven attempts at the presidency, but this is disputed. Atiku was not a presidential candidate in a Nigerian general election in 1993, 2011, or 2015; those were contests for party nominations. He actually appeared on the presidential ballot in 2007, 2019, and 2023. Having emerged as the ADC candidate for 2027, this will be his fourth general-election presidential candidacy, not his seventh.
Fani-Kayode also disputes Atiku's party affiliations, claiming that he has belonged to seven political parties. However, one of these parties, the People's Front of Nigeria (PFN), was not a registered political party. It was a political association formed during the Babangida transition and later moved into the SDP. Atiku's party switching has been scrutinized, but Fani-Kayode's own party affiliations have also changed over the years. He joined the APC, returned to the PDP in 2014, and later returned to the APC in 2021.
The two politicians also disagree on the circumstances surrounding the 2003 election. Fani-Kayode presents his interpretation of the Obasanjo-Atiku conflict as fact, but the historical record is more complicated. Atiku has stated that PDP governors approached him to challenge President Obasanjo for the party ticket but that he declined. Other published accounts confirm that powerful PDP governors considered replacing Obasanjo and approached Atiku, but accounts differ on Atiku's exact conduct and the negotiations that followed.
Fani-Kayode also raises concerns about Atiku's involvement in the Mambilla contract. The ICC tribunal examined a $500,000 transfer made by Sunrise promoter Leno Adesanya to an account belonging to Atiku's then-wife, Jennifer Douglas. The tribunal expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding the transfer but did not find evidence that Atiku exercised his official duties to foster the award of the contract to Sunrise. The arbitration did not impose criminal liability on Atiku, nor did it find that he corruptly awarded the contract.
Another issue is Atiku's engagement with a Washington-based strategic firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, for $1.2 million. The engagement was publicly filed with the United States Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The firm was retained for government-affairs representation and strategic advisory work, including policy positioning and engagement with Congress and executive-branch officials. This has raised questions about the use of foreign consultants in Nigerian politics.
Finally, Fani-Kayode disputes Atiku's proposal on petroleum subsidies. Atiku has proposed a production subsidy restricted to petroleum products refined in Nigeria, rather than a return to subsidizing imported petrol. The proposal includes a fixed spending ceiling, National Assembly approval, and independent auditing. While there are legitimate questions about its cost, implementation, and compatibility, Fani-Kayode's characterization of the proposal as simply "restoring the oil subsidy" is inaccurate.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar has made four general-election presidential candidacies, not seven.
- Fani-Kayode's own party affiliations have changed over the years.
- The ICC tribunal did not find evidence that Atiku corruptly awarded the Mambilla contract.
