Lagos-Calabar Highway: ‘You Lack Moral Right To Allege Corruption’ – Presidency Slams Atiku

• Presidency addresses Abubakar’s conflict of interest claim regarding Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

• Atiku alleges project awarded to Hitech Construction due to ties with President Bola Tinubu.

• Presidency responds to allegations, denies any impropriety.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Presidency on Monday addressed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s allegation of conflict of interest in the award of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway by the Federal Government.

Atiku stated on Sunday that the project was awarded to Hitech Construction Company due to business connections between the firm’s owner, Gilbert Chagoury, and President Bola Tinubu.

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The ex-VP also alleged that Tinubu’s son, Seyi, sits on the board of a company owned by Chagoury.

Atiku also faulted the massive demolition of buildings to pave the way for the highway, saying it had the potential to discourage foreign investors.

But the Presidency, in a statement on Monday, denied the claims by Atiku, adding that the former VP lacked the moral right to raise the question of conflict of interests.

The titled, ‘Atiku Abubakar’s penchant for distorting facts,’ was signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The Presidency said, “We found it strange that Alhaji Atiku could accuse President Tinubu of conflict of interest in the award of Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway to Hitech Construction Company, which he claimed is owned by Chagoury family because the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, sits on the board of CDK, a tiles manufacturing company, based in Sagamu, Ogun State.”

The Presidency said should Atiku, who formed Intels Nigeria with an Italian businessman when he served in the Nigeria Customs Service, a “clear breach of extant public service regulations…be the one accusing someone else of conflict of interest?”

It said as Vice President of Nigeria between 199 and 2007, Atiku maintained his business links with Intels, which won major port concession deals.

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“Was this not an abuse of office, a flagrant violation of his oath, that a company where he was a co-owner won major government contracts and concessions when he was vice president?” the Presidency queried.

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