Atiku wants clarity on NNPC’s N11.2 trillion bill and Tinubu's campaign funding

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to give a clear breakdown of the N11.2 trillion listed in its 2025 accounts as receivables from the Federation.

He also wants the Presidency to reveal any financial or material support that President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign received from government contractors.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made his requests in a statement released on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, the Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

He asked NNPC to explain how much of the receivables is connected to protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure. He wants to know what payments were made, who got the money, and what services were delivered.

The N11.2 trillion is a receivable recorded by NNPC against the Federation. It should not be seen as N11.2 trillion paid to pipeline-surveillance contractors.

NNPC’s 2024 audited financial statements show N17.512 trillion as receivables from the Federation. This amount includes about N8.672 trillion in energy-security costs and N8.840 trillion in other receivables from the Federation.

The accounts state that the receivables from the Federation are for expenses NNPC incurred on its behalf. According to the company’s 2025 financial statements, around N11.2 trillion is listed as other receivables from the Federation.

Atiku said the accounts do not provide enough details for Nigerians to understand how much was specifically spent on pipeline surveillance.

“NNPC’s 2024 accounts recorded roughly N17.5 trillion across different claims on the Federation, including petrol under-recovery and other receivables linked to advances and asset protection,” he said.

“Its 2025 accounts now show about N11.2 trillion in other receivables from the Federation. Nigerians cannot tell from these totals what was spent on pipeline surveillance. What was paid? Who was paid? For what work? Where are the results?”

He also noted the amount in comparison to federal defense spending. He argued that the government should clarify how much is being spent to protect petroleum infrastructure while security issues continue in other parts of the country.

NNPC has defended its pipeline-security arrangements. In April, the company said its integrated security program helped crude oil production rise from 960,000 barrels per day in 2022 to an average of 1.71 million barrels per day in 2025.

The company added that the arrangement involves gathering intelligence, security operations, regulatory oversight, cooperation within the industry, and community-based surveillance.

Also in April, over 300 federal lawmakers supported continuing the engagement of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for pipeline surveillance after a National Assembly roundtable on the topic.

Atiku questioned the political role of Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who is linked to Tantita Security Services. Tantita is contracted by the federal government to oversee oil pipeline security in the Niger Delta.

Mr Ekpemupolo also started and funds the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, which campaigns for Mr Tinubu’s re-election. Atiku did not provide evidence to connect payments under Tantita’s pipeline-surveillance contract to the activities of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement.

Atiku also raised concerns about the award of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to Hitech Construction Company Limited, which belongs to the Chagoury family.

The federal government has defended its procurement process, stating it used restricted bidding. Atiku wants the government to publish the companies invited to participate, the bids received, how they were evaluated, and the final contract details.

He also asked the Presidency to reveal if any companies or individuals holding major federal contracts gave money, vehicles, or other support to Mr Tinubu’s re-election campaign.