Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of enacting policies that cripple the poor while enriching the elite, calling for a nationwide resistance to what he describes as creeping authoritarianism and economic injustice.
Atiku, a key opposition leader and former presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, did not mince words in his latest remarks, declaring that Tinubu’s policies have plunged millions of Nigerians into deeper poverty while government officials bask in luxury and wasteful spending. He slammed the administration’s justification for the ballooning national debt, especially the claim that borrowing is necessary to finance the 2025 budget and cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
“That excuse is feeble and deceitful,” Atiku said, asserting that Tinubu’s economic model is worsening inequality and eroding the hopes of everyday Nigerians.
The former vice president painted a grim picture of the country’s current state, warning that no government since the return of democracy has inflicted this level of hardship in such a short period. He highlighted the stark contrast between government extravagance and the hunger plaguing ordinary citizens, describing the Tinubu administration as “inept, out of touch, and dangerous to the common man.”
Atiku cited recent data from the Global Hunger Index 2024, revealing that Nigeria now surpasses conflict-ridden Sudan in the number of malnourished children, a development he called “an indictment of leadership failure.” He also condemned the Tinubu administration for what he described as reckless borrowing, pointing to the alarming surge in public debt from ₦49 trillion in 2023 to a projected ₦144 trillion by 2025; a 150% increase that he labeled “irresponsible and unsustainable.”
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Amid skyrocketing costs of living, Atiku took aim at the 75% hike in fees by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and rising tuition in public universities, arguing that these moves hurt struggling families while shielding the wealthy from economic pain.
He warned that unless urgent action is taken, Nigeria risks sliding into a one-party dictatorship that silences dissent and abandons the poor. Rallying opposition parties and civil society groups, Atiku declared plans to build a unified front to resist what he called Tinubu’s authoritarian drift and elitist governance, vowing to hold the administration accountable for its decisions.
“We are not just opposing policies, we are defending democracy and the Nigerian dream,” Atiku said. “This is a fight for the soul of our nation. We will not relent until Nigeria is returned to the path of justice, equity, and inclusive development.”
With a growing coalition backing his movement, Atiku’s message appears to be resonating with many Nigerians weary of worsening economic conditions and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. As the political temperature rises ahead of 2025, the former vice president’s bold rhetoric signals a more aggressive opposition strategy, and a battle for Nigeria’s future that is only just beginning.
