Hardship: Apologise, then leave the stage, Atiku tells Tinubu
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described President Bola Tinubu’s administration as one of the most ruinous governments Nigeria has endured. In a statement issued on his behalf by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku accused Tinubu of making everyday life “punishingly expensive” and still borrows with “an extraordinary […]
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has denounced President Bola Tinubu's administration as among the most damaging Nigeria has ever faced. In a statement on Atiku's behalf, Phrank Shaibu, ADC Presidential Campaign Council Director of Strategic Communications, alleged Tinubu is making daily life "excruciatingly expensive" and still borrowing with "unprecedented zeal".
Atiku questioned why a government touting increased revenues consistently borrows and why the people financing its policies cannot perceive the anticipated benefits.
He emphasized that after over three years of enforced sacrifices, citizens are confronted with escalating food, transportation, and energy expenses, burdened public services, and a recorded public debt of ₦166.79 trillion by June 2026, up from ₦49.85 trillion in March 2023. Atiku called for a comprehensive financial breakdown from Tinubu, highlighting the debt's growth and inquiring about repayments and ongoing loans.
He criticized the apparent contradiction between official economic recovery claims and the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians. Atiku argued that economic success cannot be measured merely by rising revenues and improving reserves if the purchasing power of citizens is deteriorating.
Furthermore, Atiku pointed out the intensification of fuel-price pressures, with petrol costing around ₦1,400 per liter in Lagos and Abuja, reaching ₦1,500 in parts of northern Nigeria, and diesel exceeding ₦2,000 per liter in September. He accused the government of demanding more sacrifices from the poor while those already insulated enjoy comfort.
Atiku maintained that the benefits of economic reforms must ultimately reach the people, as they cannot be sustained by mere GDP figures, FAAC allocations, or PowerPoint presentations. He demanded greater transparency about the Debt Management Office's external debt-service schedule for Q2 2026 and an apology from the Tinubu administration for the economic hardships imposed since 2023.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
