Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to provide a detailed breakdown of the N11.2 trillion recorded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) as receivables from the Federation.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, also questioned the relationship between government contractors and President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku asked NNPC to explain how much of the N11.2 trillion was connected to the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
He also demanded details of the payments made, the beneficiaries and the work carried out.
NNPC’s 2025 financial statements recorded about N11.2 trillion under “Other receivables from Federation.” The accounts state that the figure relates to advance payments to the Federation and costs incurred in securing the country’s oil and gas assets. (Premium Times Nigeria)
Atiku said the accounts did not provide enough information to determine how much was specifically spent on pipeline surveillance.
He therefore called for greater transparency over the expenditure, particularly amid continuing security challenges across the country.
The former vice president also compared the N11.2 trillion figure with the approximately N3.1 trillion allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the 2025 budget, arguing that the size of the NNPC receivables warranted further scrutiny.
Questions over government contractors
Atiku also raised questions about companies holding government contracts and their alleged involvement in Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
He specifically mentioned Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, which is involved in pipeline surveillance, and its founder, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
Atiku questioned whether any financial or material support had been provided to Tinubu’s campaign by contractors or individuals benefiting from government contracts.
He also raised concerns about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited, a company owned by the Chagoury family.
Atiku called for the government to publish documents relating to the procurement process, including the companies invited to bid, competing bids, evaluation records and the final contract.
Calls for greater transparency
Atiku argued that Nigerians should be able to examine how public funds are spent and whether government contracts deliver the expected results.
However, the allegations concerning possible links between government contracts and campaign financing were not independently established in the reports reviewed. The Presidency and the companies mentioned were also not represented in Atiku’s statement. (Premium Times Nigeria)
The N11.2 trillion figure itself refers to NNPC receivables from the Federation and should not be interpreted as N11.2 trillion paid directly to pipeline-surveillance contractors. (Premium Times Nigeria)
