Atiku Tackles Tinubu Over Blame for Nigeria’s Economic Hardship
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu for blaming the opposition for hunger and poverty in Nigeria, insisting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) must account for its years in power.
Atiku’s reaction followed Tinubu’s remarks at the APC presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, where the president accused opposition politicians of creating the hunger and poverty confronting Nigerians.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku described Tinubu’s comments as an attempt to avoid responsibility for his administration’s performance.
He noted that the APC had governed Nigeria for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari before Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
“Mr President, blaming the opposition for hunger is either delusion or a staggering case of political amnesia. The APC governed Nigeria for eight years before you took office. You have added another three and a half years,” Atiku said.
He added that Nigerians were aware of the party that had been in power and should not be expected to accept the opposition being blamed for the country’s economic difficulties.
“The hardship your administration has brought upon Nigerians is real. You cannot deny it by blaming others,” he said.
Atiku also criticised the planned inauguration of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, alleging that the road remained unfinished despite plans for its commissioning.
“Your decision to commission the unfinished Abuja to Kaduna Expressway from inside a stadium shows how far removed you are from the daily reality of Nigerians. A road cannot be completed with a speech or a ribbon-cutting ceremony,” he said.
The former vice-president further questioned the administration’s handling of the removal of petrol subsidy and the depreciation of the naira, asking the government to account for the effects of its economic policies.
He also raised concerns about federal budget implementation, including the extension of the 2024 budget into 2025 alongside a separate 2025 budget.
Atiku demanded explanations for spending figures he cited under energy security and pipeline-related activities, insisting that Nigerians deserved to know how public funds had been used and what projects had been delivered.
On security, he accused the administration of failing to adequately address killings, kidnappings and the displacement of communities across the country.
The ADC chieftain urged Tinubu to focus on addressing the challenges facing Nigerians rather than blaming political opponents for highlighting them.
“You cannot govern for three years, make life harder, and then blame others for describing the hardship. You asked who created the hunger. Nigerians are asking what you have done to end it,” he said.
Atiku said the 2027 presidential election would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to assess the Tinubu administration’s performance.
The Presidency’s position, as reported at the APC rally, was that the administration was working to address hunger and poverty through its economic policies.
