Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has renewed his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the government is facing a serious credibility crisis following conflicting statements from two of Nigeria’s top financial institutions over the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council accounts.
Speaking on Wednesday, Atiku said the differing positions taken by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation have exposed what he described as deep inconsistencies within the administration. According to him, the conflicting accounts have left the government struggling to explain its own actions and raised fresh concerns about transparency.
In a statement released through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the testimony presented by the Central Bank before the House of Representatives directly contradicts the explanation previously given by the Office of the Accountant General. He argued that the disagreement has created one of the most serious credibility challenges witnessed under Nigeria’s democratic system.
Atiku maintained that the controversy began when one institution reportedly denied authorising the opening of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council accounts and alleged that documents connected to the process had been forged. He noted that the Central Bank later informed lawmakers that the accounts were opened based on the directive of the Accountant General after all required procedures had been followed. He insisted that both versions cannot be correct at the same time.
He said the public disagreement between two of the country’s most important financial institutions should concern every Nigerian, adding that no responsible administration should allow such contradictions to remain unresolved. According to him, the situation has placed the Tinubu government in a difficult position and weakened public confidence.
Atiku also questioned President Tinubu’s silence over the matter, saying the President must clearly state which of the two accounts he believes. He argued that if the President has confidence in neither explanation, then Nigerians deserve to know why no decisive action has been taken against those responsible.
He further warned that every day without an independent investigation only increases public suspicion that protecting the government’s reputation has become more important than uncovering the truth. He added that the continued silence of the Attorney General of the Federation has further deepened concerns and strengthened the belief that the administration is focused on limiting political damage instead of ensuring accountability.
Calling for legislative action, Atiku urged the National Assembly to summon both the Accountant General of the Federation and the Governor of the Central Bank before its investigative committee. He said both officials should testify under oath so Nigerians can hear a single, clear and truthful account of what happened.
According to Atiku, the controversy has grown beyond questions surrounding disputed bank accounts. He said it now reflects broader concerns about the integrity, accountability and competence of the current administration. He argued that if one individual could allegedly trigger a situation that has placed two critical government institutions in direct conflict, then Nigerians have every reason to question whether similar actions may have gone unnoticed because of weak oversight.
Atiku concluded that President Tinubu owes Nigerians a sincere apology for what he described as a major failure of public accountability. He insisted that unless the President immediately orders a truly independent investigation and ensures those found responsible are held accountable, he would have lost the moral authority to remain in office. He therefore maintained that the President should apologise to Nigerians and resign from office.
