ABUJA — A pro-government advocacy group, the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), has challenged opposition leader Atiku Abubakar to name any major infrastructure project initiated and completed during his eight years as vice-president.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group accused Atiku—the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—of routinely criticizing the policies and legacy projects of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
The TMSG argued that despite Atiku often presenting himself as a seasoned political alternative and the economic driver of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration (1999–2007), there is little physical evidence of major long-term infrastructure tied to his time in office. ”We have seen how former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has made it a regular pastime to condemn and criticize virtually all policies and projects initiated by the President Bola Tinubu administration,” the statement said. “We urge the ADC presidential candidate to outline for Nigerians the legacy infrastructural projects initiated and completed by that administration in eight years that have stood the test of time.”
The political group dismissed claims that Atiku led the economic reforms of that era, referencing past public disputes—including remarks by former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili—over who truly directed the Obasanjo administration’s economic team.
The TMSG also raised questions about how public funds were prioritized during the 1999–2007 period. While acknowledging that Nigeria successfully negotiated a $12.4 billion debt relief deal with the Paris Club of creditors at the time, the group argued this came at the expense of crucial domestic infrastructure, particularly in the power and rail sectors. ”If that administration did not have to commit funds to debt relief in subsequent budget cycles, the question then is, where are the legacy infrastructural projects initiated and completed by the then government?” the group asked. It contended that significant federal investment in modern rail infrastructure only began under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was expanded by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and is now being integrated into broader road and rail networks by President Tinubu. The TMSG cautioned Nigerians against what it termed Atiku’s “antics of posturing,” arguing that his record on privatization and federal governance during his time as vice-president warrants greater scrutiny.
Atiku’s campaign team has not yet issued an official response to the TMSG’s latest challenge, though his supporters have historically defended the Obasanjo-era record, citing key macroeconomic reforms, telecom deregulation, and debt relief as pivotal achievements for Nigeria’s development.
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