African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called for greater public disclosure of the Federal Government’s reported $5 billion financing facility with First Abu Dhabi Bank.
The former Vice President said Nigerians had a right to know the terms, collateral and intended use of loans contracted in the name of the country.
In a statement by his media office, Atiku criticised the administration’s rising debt profile and argued that borrowing needed to be matched by clear improvements in living standards and public services.
He cited figures attributed to the Debt Management Office and made claims about poverty and debt accumulation under the Tinubu administration.
Those figures and conclusions were presented as Atiku’s political argument and would require reconciliation with official datasets for a full independent assessment.
Atiku also criticised comments by the Finance Minister concerning demands for disclosure of the Abu Dhabi facility.
He said National Assembly approval did not remove the government’s obligation to explain the structure and use of public borrowing.
The former Vice President noted reports that the facility required securities worth more than the value of the amount borrowed to be pledged as collateral.
He said that feature increased the need for transparency.
Atiku also referred to concerns reportedly raised by international financial institutions and rating agencies about aspects of sovereign financing and debt sustainability.
The government has said the facility was intended partly to refinance more expensive obligations and has defended its borrowing strategy as part of broader fiscal management.
Atiku argued that the public should be able to evaluate whether the borrowing produced value and whether risks were being managed appropriately.
His statement adds a major opposition voice to the debate over the Abu Dhabi transaction as government economic reforms become a central issue in the 2027 campaign.
