Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of blaming the opposition for Nigeria’s economic hardship, insisting that his administration must account for its performance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was reacting to Tinubu’s remarks at the APC campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, where the President accused the opposition of creating hunger and poverty in the country.
In a statement issued by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Tinubu’s comments as “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. Nigerians know who has been in power, and hardship did not begin when the opposition started talking about it. Stop insulting their intelligence and answer for your record,” he said.
Atiku argued that Tinubu’s administration had worsened the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, adding that the President could not deflect criticism over the rising cost of living by blaming political opponents.
He also criticised the planned inauguration of a section of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, describing the ceremony as evidence of what he characterised as the administration’s disconnect from the daily struggles of citizens.
“A road cannot be completed with a speech or a ribbon-cutting ceremony,” he said.
The former Vice President challenged the government to account for the removal of the petrol subsidy and the depreciation of the naira, which he said had weakened from about ₦471 to ₦1,329 against the dollar.
He also cited a World Bank estimate that 63 per cent of Nigerians would be living below the national poverty line in 2026, accusing the administration of presiding over worsening poverty.
Atiku further questioned the extension of the 2024 budget into 2025 alongside a separate 2025 budget. He also raised concerns over what he described as ₦7.13 trillion recorded under “energy security” in 2024 and ₦11.2 trillion in NNPC pipeline-related spending.
He called on the government to clarify the figures, explain how the funds were spent, identify the beneficiaries and account for the projects or services delivered.
Atiku also demanded answers over what he described as a $12.4 billion gap in Nigeria’s external accounts in the first half of 2026 and the payment of $22.5 million in “other charges” associated with an Abu Dhabi financing facility.
On security, the ADC chieftain accused the administration of failing to adequately address killings, kidnappings and displacement across the country, saying Nigerians were entitled to question the government’s response to the persistent threats.
“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 maintained that the 2027 presidential election would serve as a referendum on Tinubu’s performance, arguing that voters would assess the administration based on their experiences at home, in markets and in their communities rather than its campaign promises.
“The people will judge your government by the lives they are living, not by the excuses you offer at campaign rallies,” he said.
He concluded by asserting that Nigerians had rejected the administration, expressing confidence that their verdict would be reflected in the next presidential election.
