Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has tackled President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress over comments accusing political opponents of creating the prevailing hunger and economic hardship across Nigeria.
Atiku described the administration’s attempts to deflect responsibility onto the opposition as a clear sign of evasion, pointing out that the APC has held federal power for over a decade.
”The APC governed Nigeria for eight years before you took office. You have added another three and a half years. Nigerans 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,” Atiku stated.
The reaction follows President Tinubu’s speech at the APC campaign flag-off event in Kaduna, where the President claimed that political opponents were responsible for the economic difficulties facing citizens.
”I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created the hunger; they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” President Tinubu said during the rally.
Responding through a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the campaign council, Atiku maintained that economic reforms must be judged by their real impact on citizens rather than political rhetoric.
”A president cannot light the fire of hardship with his own policies, then blame the neighbours for the smoke,” Atiku said. “The hardship your administration has brought upon Nigerians is real. You cannot deny it by blaming others.”
Atiku further questioned the government’s economic management, citing inflationary pressures, currency depreciation, energy costs, and project executions.
”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 added.
Looking ahead to upcoming political contests, the former Vice-President stated that voters would ultimately pass judgment on the ruling party’s performance at the polls.
”The people will judge your government by the lives they are living, not by the excuses you offer at campaign rallies. The upcoming presidential election will be a referendum on your record. Nigerians have felt the cost of your leadership in their homes, markets, and communities,” Atiku concluded.
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