Atiku Abubakar Critiques Tinubu's $516M Loan Request

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu's request for Senate approval of a $516 million external loan intended for the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway project. In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku raised concerns about Nigeria's rising debt profile and the implications of borrowing without sufficient safeguards.

He highlighted the importance of infrastructure development to connect the northwest and southwest regions, stressing that no region should be left behind in national economic integration. Atiku warned against the pattern of borrowing without transparent terms and a credible repayment framework, which he believes could lead to a debt trap for future generations.

He called for rigorous scrutiny of the loan request by the National Assembly to ensure it serves the nation's interests and does not replicate past controversies surrounding public infrastructure projects. President Tinubu's loan request was formally presented to the Senate by Godswill Akpabio, with expectations that Deutsch Bank would support the construction of the highway.