2927: ‘You want another term but ashamed to face the people’ – Atiku blasts Tinubu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has harshly criticized President Bola Tinubu for his reported absence from campaign rallies in various states, stating that he cannot seek another four-year term while relying on governors, ministers and defectors to defend the hardships Nigerians have faced over the past three and a half years. Atiku's comments were made in a statement released on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

Atiku questioned Tinubu's commitment to governance, asking where the urgency was when Nigerians were pleading for relief during his first term. He pointed out that families had been forced to cut meals, postpone medical care and witness their earnings lose value since Tinubu took office. Now, he claims, Tinubu seeks another mandate, but must first face the electorate and provide an account of his performance.

Atiku challenged Tinubu to explain to mothers how his administration has kept food affordable, to pensioners why they cannot afford their medicines, and to young Nigerians why their years of hard work and education have not led to decent job opportunities. He accused Tinubu of relying on political allies to speak on his behalf instead of directly addressing the concerns of Nigerians.

The former VP argued that Tinubu may fill every campaign stage in Nigeria, but cannot fill an empty pot with surrogates or send a politician to negotiate lower prices in the market. He emphasized that the individuals on Tinubu's campaign council did not receive the mandate in 2023, but Tinubu did. They made the promises, made the decisions, and must now face the questions from the electorate.

Atiku concluded by stating that while Nigerians will listen to whatever surrogates Tinubu sends, when they ultimately vote, they will remember the hardships they have endured under his administration. No crowd of politicians can mask his record, he concluded.