Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over a proposed $516 million external loan for the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, warning against what he described as reckless borrowing and a lack of transparency.
Atiku aide Phrank Shaibu said in a statement that while the former Vice President acknowledged the importance of infrastructure linking regions, he argued that development must be guided by fiscal discipline and accountability.
He cautioned that Nigeria’s rising debt profile makes further borrowing risky, especially without clear loan terms, cost-benefit analysis, and a credible repayment plan. Atiku stressed that the project should not be politicised along regional lines, noting that all Nigerians deserve sustainable and transparent development.
The former Vice President warned that ambitious infrastructure projects must not become a cover for deepening debt burdens that future generations will inherit. He also raised concerns over reports that the project was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited without a competitive bidding process.
Scrutiny of procurement processes
Atiku, a chieftain of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described this as a troubling pattern, referencing similar controversies surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He urged the National Assembly to rigorously scrutinise the loan request, insisting that public borrowing must align with transparency, due process, and measurable economic value.
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