Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over what he perceives as a conflict of interest involving President Bola Tinubu’s son and their business associate, Gilbert Chagoury.
In a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku highlighted the appointment of Tinubu’s son, Seyi, as a director on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of Chagoury Group, which manufactures ceramic tiles and sanitary towels.
Citing a report by Paris-based Africa Intelligence News Agency, Atiku pointed out that the Corporate Affairs Commission revealed Seyi’s official business association with Chagoury, suggesting a close partnership between the Tinubu family and the Chagoury Group.
Expressing concern over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, Atiku alleged that its swift execution might be influenced by the business ties between Tinubu and Chagoury, owner of Hitech, the contractor awarded the project. He criticized the lack of competitive bidding and the project’s staggering cost amidst Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Atiku further criticized the demolition of properties within the Oniru corridor without adequate notice, attributing the lack of foreign direct investments partly to such actions. He accused the Tinubu administration of prioritizing personal business interests over national welfare, which he argued hampers the ease of doing business and discourages investors.
The former vice president urged Tinubu’s economic team to prioritize economic reform over propaganda, emphasizing the importance of transparency and coordination in governance to ensure sustainability.