The All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have exchanged accusations over corruption allegations and Nigeria’s economic performance as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest dispute began on Thursday, September 24, 2026, when Atiku criticised the APC-led administration of President Bola Tinubu during a political gathering in Akure, Ondo State.
Hours later, the ruling party responded with allegations concerning Atiku’s record in public office, questioning his suitability for the presidency.
The exchange reflects growing political tensions between the APC and the ADC as both parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku made the remarks in Akure during a reception for former Ondo State governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC.
Although he described the gathering as a welcome event rather than a campaign rally, Atiku used the occasion to criticise the APC government’s handling of the economy and called on Nigerians to vote the party out in 2027.
He argued that Nigeria’s economic position had deteriorated under the APC, contrasting the country’s current circumstances with the period between 1999 and 2007, when he served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Atiku also reiterated his commitment to restoring fuel subsidies and improving national security if the ADC wins the 2027 presidential election.
He urged party supporters in Ondo State to mobilise voters and protect their votes during the forthcoming elections.
In response, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka issued a statement accusing Atiku of being linked to several corruption controversies during and after his time in public office.
The party cited the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project dispute, the Siemens bribery scandal, the case involving former United States Congressman William Jefferson, controversies surrounding the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and a US Senate investigation into suspicious financial transactions involving Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer Douglas.
Morka argued that the allegations raised questions about Atiku’s record on accountability and public financial management.
The APC also urged Nigerians not to entrust him with the presidency, describing the controversies as evidence of what it considers a troubling record.
However, the allegations cited by the party involve different investigations and proceedings, and they do not all amount to criminal findings against Atiku.
The latest exchange follows renewed attention to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project after an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris ruled in favour of the Nigerian government in its dispute with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
The tribunal dismissed claims brought by the company over the project and ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria for part of its legal costs.
During the arbitration, the tribunal examined a $500,000 payment Adesanya made in January 2003 to an account belonging to Jennifer Douglas, who was then Atiku’s wife.
The payment became a central issue in the political dispute after the APC linked it to the negotiations surrounding the Mambilla project.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council had previously accused Atiku of compromising Nigeria’s interests and called on him to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
Atiku rejected the allegations, insisting that the arbitration tribunal did not find that he received a bribe or improperly influenced the award of the contract.
In a statement through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice-president challenged the APC to identify the specific portion of the tribunal’s final award in which he was found guilty of corruption or abuse of office.
Atiku also said he was not a member of the technical committee that evaluated the proposals for the project and denied influencing the contract award.
He accused the APC of turning allegations examined during the arbitration into conclusions that the tribunal itself had not reached.
The APC’s latest statement goes beyond the Mambilla controversy, reviving allegations linked to other investigations involving Atiku and people associated with him.
Among the cases cited was the Siemens bribery scandal, in which the German engineering company admitted to bribery offences in several countries, including Nigeria. The APC also referred to the US case involving former Congressman William Jefferson and a 2010 US Senate investigation into financial transactions involving Atiku and his former wife.
The party used these controversies to question Atiku’s suitability to lead the country.
Atiku, however, has consistently rejected allegations of corruption and has argued that political opponents are attempting to use past controversies against him.
The distinction between allegations, investigations and proven criminal offences remains important in assessing the claims being exchanged by both parties.
Atiku’s criticism of the APC focused largely on the economy, with particular attention to the hardship experienced by Nigerians and the government’s removal of the petrol subsidy.
He has pledged to restore the subsidy if elected president, arguing that the government should use available resources to cushion the impact of economic reforms on citizens.
The APC, meanwhile, has criticised the proposal, questioning its financial sustainability and the implications for public spending.
The disagreement reflects competing positions on how Nigeria should manage fuel prices, government spending and the cost of living.
The latest exchange comes as political parties and their presidential contenders intensify their activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku’s remarks in Ondo were part of a political gathering organised to welcome new members into the ADC. The APC’s response, meanwhile, focused on his past record and the allegations surrounding his time in public office.
The dispute also reflects the growing importance of economic performance and accountability in the emerging political contest.
While the APC has used past controversies to challenge Atiku’s credibility, the ADC candidate has accused the ruling party of misrepresenting the findings of the Mambilla arbitration and has continued to criticise the government’s economic policies.
With both sides maintaining their positions, the latest exchange adds to the political debate ahead of the 2027 elections. The allegations and counterclaims are likely to remain part of that debate, although any criminal liability must be established through the appropriate legal process.