In a bold and scathing statement, former Vice President and leading opposition figure, Atiku Abubakar, has declared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration a failure, accusing it of deepening poverty, mismanaging the economy, and eroding democratic values.
Atiku, speaking on behalf of a growing opposition coalition, described the Tinubu government as “incompetent, disconnected, and anti-people,” alleging that no administration since Nigeria’s return to democracy has inflicted so much hardship on the masses in such a short period.
“In just two years, this government has broken records in public suffering and wasteful spending,” Atiku stated. “While millions of Nigerians struggle to eat and access basic services, government officials are living lavishly and approving elitist budgets.”
Citing recent data from the Global Hunger Index 2024, the former presidential candidate lamented that Nigeria has overtaken war-torn Sudan as the country with the highest number of malnourished children in Africa. He further decried the federal government’s 150% increase in public debt — from N49 trillion in 2023 to N144 trillion in 2025 — calling it “irresponsible and unsustainable.”
He also condemned the recent 75% fee hike by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and soaring public university fees, noting that such policies disproportionately harm the poor while offering the wealthy more privileges.
“Policy after policy has targeted the poor, while the rich get richer. From healthcare to education, the common man is being priced out of their rights as citizens,” Atiku said.
He rejected Tinubu’s justification for excessive borrowing — that loans are needed to fund the 2025 budget and manage the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal — labeling it “weak and dishonest.”
In a rallying call to opposition parties and civil society, Atiku announced the formation of a united front to challenge what he described as creeping authoritarianism and economic injustice under the current administration.
“We will not allow Nigeria to be turned into a one-party dictatorship. We are building a strong, united opposition that will hold this government accountable and restore power to the people,” he asserted.
Atiku concluded with a vow of resistance and hope: “We are here to rescue Nigeria. And we will not stop until that goal is achieved.”
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