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 Atiku Abubakar Slams Tinubu’s Two-Year Tenure as Wasteful, Anti-People Governance

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has delivered a scathing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-year administration, describing it as the most “incompetent, disconnected, and anti-people” government Nigeria has experienced since the return to democracy. In a sharply worded statement released Wednesday, Atiku assessed the second anniversary of the Tinubu-led administration, asserting that it has plunged the country into unprecedented hardship, poverty, and economic mismanagement.

According to Atiku, the Tinubu government has not only failed to produce any tangible results within two years but has actively worsened the living conditions of millions of Nigerians. His comments arrive amid increasing public discontent over inflation, food insecurity, and the growing wealth gap.

Failed Promises and Rising Hardship Under Tinubu

Atiku’s criticism centers on what he calls a systematic failure of leadership and policy. He accused the administration of deepening poverty and hunger, claiming that no other government in Nigeria’s history had imposed such suffering on its citizens while simultaneously lacking transparency and accountability.

“In just two years, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has proven to be one of the most incompetent, disconnected, and anti-people governments in Nigeria’s democratic history,” Atiku said. “No previous administration has inflicted this level of hardship on the masses.”

He went on to highlight the stark contrast between the lifestyle of government officials and the dire economic conditions faced by ordinary Nigerians. “While millions struggle to survive, government officials are living in excess, approving budgets that benefit the elite,” Atiku stated, pointing to a widening inequality gap fostered by regressive policies and unchecked spending.

The former Vice President also cited Nigeria’s dismal ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2024, where the country placed 18th, worse than war-torn Sudan. He described this as evidence of a national crisis under Tinubu’s leadership, which he claims has led Nigeria to become the continent’s capital of malnourished children.

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Criticism of Economic Policies and Debt Accumulation

Atiku did not spare the administration’s economic management, particularly its approach to fuel subsidy removal, debt accumulation, and rising costs of basic services. He accused the Tinubu government of recklessly removing fuel subsidies without implementing effective cushioning policies, thus triggering widespread economic hardship.

“The justification that borrowing is needed to soften the impact of subsidy removal is both weak and dishonest,” Atiku argued. “It was the insensitive manner in which the subsidy was removed that created this hardship in the first place.”

He also expressed alarm over Nigeria’s skyrocketing public debt. According to Atiku, the national debt has ballooned from ₦49 trillion in 2023 to ₦144 trillion in just two years — a staggering 150% increase. Projections suggest that the debt could rise further to ₦183 trillion, further compounding Nigeria’s fiscal crisis.

In contrast, he praised state governments for demonstrating better fiscal discipline, reducing their debts from ₦5.86 trillion to ₦3.97 trillion. Atiku labeled the federal government as the “primary driver of Nigeria’s current debt crisis.”

A Call for Political Reawakening and New Opposition Coalition

Beyond economic grievances, Atiku warned against what he sees as creeping authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic values under Tinubu’s rule. He accused the government of creating a class-based society where the wealthy enjoy privileged access to public services while the poor are increasingly marginalized.

Using examples such as the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) 75% fee hike and the rising cost of university education, Atiku argued that vital public services are becoming inaccessible to ordinary Nigerians. “Policy after policy under this administration has targeted the poor while benefiting the rich,” he asserted.

In response, Atiku announced that efforts are underway to build a robust opposition coalition aimed at unseating the current administration. He promised a renewed political movement that will uphold democratic principles and advocate for social and economic justice.

“We are building a strong, united opposition — one that will challenge the excesses of this administration, restore accountability, and return government to the people,” he declared. “We are here to rescue Nigeria. And we will not stop until that goal is achieved.”

Atiku’s remarks set the tone for an intensifying political season as Nigerians grapple with tough economic realities and rising discontent, which could shape the political landscape ahead of future elections.