'2027 presidential election will be referendum on your record' - Atiku tells Tinubu

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that the 2027 election in Nigeria will serve as a referendum on the record of incumbent President Bola Tinubu. Speaking in a statement by ADC's Presidential Campaign Council Director Phrank Shaibu, Atiku criticized the current administration for the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

He highlighted a series of issues, such as the removal of petrol subsidies, a sharp fall in the naira's value against the dollar, a rise in poverty levels, and the allocation of large sums towards energy security projects without clear accountability. Atiku questioned how the government could justify spending N11.2 trillion on pipeline-related expenses and explained the $12.4 billion gap in Nigeria's external accounts for the first half of 2026.

He also addressed the continued violence, kidnappings, and displacement plaguing communities under the current government. Atiku emphasized that Nigerians are not merely reacting to the opposition's criticisms but are actively judging the government based on their daily lives. He concluded by stating that the 2027 election would be a clear referendum on Tinubu's leadership, as the people had already rejected his administration's practices.