Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of deflecting responsibility for Nigeria’s economic hards...
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of deflecting responsibility for Nigeria’s economic hardship by blaming the opposition for hunger and poverty.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, described Tinubu’s claim as a “delusional, shameless attempt” to evade responsibility for the economic difficulties Nigerians are facing.
In a statement issued on October 24, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the administration could not create hardship through its policies and then blame the opposition for highlighting its effects.
“Blaming the opposition for hunger is either delusion or a staggering case of political amnesia,” Atiku said, arguing that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had governed Nigeria for more than 11 years, including Tinubu’s tenure.
He maintained that the economic hardship predated the opposition’s criticism of the government, urging the President to account for his administration’s performance rather than blame political opponents.
Atiku also criticised Tinubu over the commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, alleging that the ceremony took place before the project was completed.
“A road cannot be completed with a speech or a ribbon-cutting ceremony,” he said.
The former Vice President questioned the administration’s handling of the removal of petrol subsidies and the depreciation of the naira, asking which government was responsible for the economic decisions and their consequences.
He also cited a World Bank estimate that 63 per cent of Nigerians could be living below the national poverty line in 2026, alongside concerns over budget implementation and government spending.
Atiku further raised questions about reported spending of ₦7.13 trillion under “energy security” in 2024 and ₦11.2 trillion in NNPC pipeline-related expenditure, demanding greater transparency over how the funds were used and what they achieved.
He also questioned a reported $12.4 billion gap in Nigeria’s external accounts for the first half of 2026 and a $22.5 million payment described as “other charges” under the Abu Dhabi financing facility.
On security, Atiku accused the administration of failing to address persistent killings, kidnappings and displacement affecting communities across the country.
“These are the questions Nigerians are asking while your government blames the opposition,” he said.
Atiku argued that the government should be judged by the living conditions of Nigerians rather than its explanations for the country’s challenges.
He described the 2027 presidential election as a referendum on Tinubu’s record, claiming that Nigerians had already rejected the administration.
The statement represents the ADC campaign’s position on the administration’s economic and security record. The financial figures and other allegations cited by Atiku require verification against relevant official records and independent sources.
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