Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his alleged attempt to blame the opposition for hunger and poverty in Nigeria, accusing the President of evading responsibility for the economic hardship Nigerians are experiencing under his administration.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described Tinubu’s position as an attempt to shift responsibility for the country’s economic challenges, insisting that Nigerians should hold the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) accountable for its record in government.
The former vice president said the APC had governed Nigeria for eight years before Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, adding that the President had spent more than three years in office and should be prepared to answer questions about the state of the economy.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku maintained that the country’s economic difficulties could not be blamed on opposition parties simply because they had continued to criticise government policies.
“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. Nigerians know who has been in power, and hardship did not begin when the opposition started talking about it,” Atiku said.
He urged Tinubu to address concerns about the country’s economic situation rather than accuse opposition figures of creating or exaggerating the hardship.
Atiku also criticised the President over the reported commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway from inside a stadium, arguing that such ceremonies should reflect the actual completion and delivery of public infrastructure projects.
According to him, a road project cannot be considered completed simply because a commissioning ceremony has been held, insisting that Nigerians deserve clarity about the status of major infrastructure projects.
The ADC chieftain further questioned the Federal Government’s handling of petrol subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms, asking the administration to account for the economic consequences of its policies.
He specifically cited the removal of the petrol subsidy and the depreciation of the naira, which he said had contributed to the financial difficulties confronting households and businesses.
Atiku also referred to poverty projections attributed to the World Bank, claiming that about 63 per cent of Nigerians would be living below the national poverty line in 2026.
He questioned the government’s budget implementation, alleging that the 2024 budget was extended into 2025 while a separate 2025 budget was also being operated.
The former vice president also raised questions about public expenditure, particularly funds reportedly recorded under energy security in 2024 and spending associated with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s pipeline-related activities.
“Which administration recorded ₦7.13 trillion under ‘energy security’ in 2024 and faces questions over ₦11.2 trillion in NNPC pipeline-related spending? Nigerians deserve to know who received these sums and what was delivered,” he said.
Atiku further questioned what he described as a $12.4 billion gap flagged in Nigeria’s external accounts for the first half of 2026. He also demanded an explanation for an alleged $22.5 million payment listed as “other charges” on an Abu Dhabi financing facility.
The ADC presidential candidate called on the government to provide explanations for the financial figures he cited, arguing that Nigerians deserved transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
On security, Atiku criticised the administration over persistent killings, kidnappings, and the displacement of residents in affected communities across the country.
He argued that insecurity remained a major concern for Nigerians and said the government should focus on addressing the challenges rather than directing its attention towards accusations against the opposition.
The former vice president maintained that the administration should be judged by its policies and their effects on the daily lives of citizens, including the cost of living, purchasing power, and access to basic necessities.
“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 also linked the dispute to the 2027 presidential election, describing the forthcoming poll as an opportunity for Nigerians to assess Tinubu’s performance since taking office.
According to him, the electorate would evaluate the administration based on its record rather than campaign speeches or explanations offered by government officials.
“The 2027 presidential election will be a referendum on your record. Nigerians have felt the cost of your leadership in their homes, markets, and communities,” Atiku said.
He concluded by insisting that the government must take responsibility for addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
The statement was signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, on October 24, 2026.
