A political storm has erupted over President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that the Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis was caused by the Opposition. Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at President Bola Tinubu, describing the President’s attempt to blame the opposition for widespread hunger as a sign of “delusion” and “political amnesia”.
The Spark: Campaign Trail Accusations
The fierce exchange was ignited during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off at a packed stadium in Kaduna. Speaking to party faithfuls, President Tinubu directly pointed fingers at opposition figures for the biting economic conditions gripping the country.
“I hear my opponent talking about hunger, poverty. Who created it? They did! They created the hunger, they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” President Tinubu declared to cheering supporters
Atiku’s Scathing Rebuttal
In a swift and blistering response issued through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku rejected the President’s narrative. He emphasized that after more than a decade of APC governance at the federal level, including eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari and over three years under the current administration, the ruling party can no longer deflect blame.
“Mr President, blaming the opposition for hunger is either delusion or a staggering case of political amnesia,” Atiku stated. “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… Stop insulting their intelligence and answer for your record.”
Key Issues Raised by the Opposition
Atiku challenged the presidency to address concrete fiscal and socio-economic questions rather than offering rhetoric. Among the critical issues raised were:
- Currency Depreciation & Fuel Subsidy: Atiku highlighted the removal of petrol subsidies and the sharp decline of the naira—dropping from approximately ₦471 to over ₦1,329 per US dollar—as key drivers of household distress.
- Poverty Projections: Citing a World Bank projection estimating that 63% of Nigerians will live below the national poverty line in 2026, Atiku urged the administration to acknowledge the real impact of its reform measures.
- Infrastructure Optics: The former Vice President mocked the symbolic commissioning of a section of the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway performed inside a stadium, describing it as proof of an administration “far removed from the daily reality of Nigerians.”
- Budgetary & Energy Account Audit: Atiku demanded full public disclosure regarding:
- ₦7.13 trillion recorded under “energy security” in 2024.
- ₦11.2 trillion in pipeline-related expenditures by NNPCL.
- A $12.4 billion gap flagged in Nigeria’s external accounts for the first half of 2026.
- $22.5 million in “other charges” under the Abu Dhabi financing facility.
- National Security: The statement pressed the government on ongoing insecurity, including kidnappings, killings, and displaced communities across Nigeria.
The 2027 Verdict
Framing the broader political landscape, Atiku maintained that political excuses will not replace economic stability at the ballot box.
“You cannot govern for three years, make life harder, and then blame others for describing the hardship,” Atiku concluded. “You asked who created the hunger. Nigerians are asking what you have done to end it. The 2027 presidential election will be a referendum on your record.”
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