Atiku Slams Tinubu Over Claim Opposition Caused Hunger

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu for blaming opposition parties for hunger and poverty in Nigeria, describing the claim as “either delusion or a staggering case of political amnesia.”

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was reacting to Tinubu’s remarks at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday.

Tinubu had accused opposition politicians of causing hunger and poverty, saying his administration was working to address the problems.

In a statement issued by his director of strategic communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the ruling APC must accept responsibility for the country’s economic challenges.

“The APC governed Nigeria for eight years before you took office.

"You have added another three and a half years.

"Nigerians know who has been in power, and hardship did not begin when the opposition started talking about it.

"Stop insulting their intelligence and answer for your record,” he said.

Atiku also criticised the planned inauguration of a section of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, arguing that the ceremony could not replace the completion of the project.

“A road cannot be completed with a speech or a ribbon-cutting ceremony,” he said.

The former vice president questioned the removal of petrol subsidies and the fall in the value of the naira, which he said had worsened living conditions.

He also cited a World Bank estimate that 63% of Nigerians would live below the national poverty line in 2026 and demanded explanations for government spending on energy security and petroleum pipeline projects.

“You cannot govern for three years, make life harder, and then blame others for describing the hardship,” Atiku said.

He added that the 2027 presidential election would be a referendum on Tinubu’s record, arguing that voters would judge the government by their living conditions.

The Presidency’s economic reforms have been defended as necessary to stabilise public finances, although critics continue to question their impact on households.