Atiku to Tinubu: You can’t light fire of hardship, then blame your neighbours for the smoke

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu's assertion that opposition parties are responsible for the economic hardship in Nigeria. In a statement, Atiku likened Tinubu's remarks at a campaign rally to a scenario where someone starts a fire and then accuses their neighbors of causing the smoke. "Mr.

President, blaming opposition parties for hunger is either ignorance or a clear case of political forgetfulness," Atiku stated. The former vice president emphasized that Nigeria's current economic challenges began under Tinubu's administration, which has been in power for almost eight years. He urged Tinubu to answer for his administration's record instead of deflecting blame.

Atiku highlighted the severe economic impact of the current government, including soaring poverty rates, the removal of petrol subsidies, and a sharp depreciation of the naira against the dollar. He also pointed out the administration's poor financial management, citing a large budget shortfall and overspending on energy security projects.

Atiku framed the upcoming 2027 presidential election as a critical opportunity for Nigerians to evaluate Tinubu's leadership and promised that the people would judge the government based on their daily realities, not on the excuses presented at campaign rallies.