Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to personally defend his administration’s record before seeking a second term, accusing him of relying on political allies rather than addressing Nigerians’ concerns directly.

Atiku’s position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

The criticism followed Tinubu’s announcement on Wednesday that he might skip some All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rallies because of the demands of governance.

Atiku questioned the president’s explanation, arguing that his administration had not demonstrated similar urgency in tackling the economic difficulties facing citizens.

“Tinubu says he may miss campaign rallies because Nigeria needs his attention. Where was that urgency when Nigerians pleaded for relief?” Atiku asked.

“He has had three and a half years to govern. In that time, families have been forced to cut meals, postpone medical care and watch their earnings lose value before they get home.”

The ADC presidential candidate said Tinubu should explain how his policies had affected ordinary Nigerians instead of relying on political associates to defend his performance.

“Now he wants another mandate. Before asking Nigerians for one, he must face them and account for the first term,” he said.

“Let him look a mother in the eye and explain what his government has done to make food affordable. Let him tell pensioners why they cannot afford their medicines. Let him explain to young Nigerians why years of study and hard work have still not brought them decent jobs.”

Atiku also criticised what he described as the administration’s prioritisation of creditors and investors over citizens struggling with rising living costs.

“Tinubu says American creditors cannot wait. Nigerians cannot wait either. They have bills to pay, children to feed and lives to rebuild. They deserve a president who treats their suffering with the same urgency he gives creditors and investors,” he said.

Atiku accused Tinubu of depending on governors, ministers and politicians who had recently defected to the APC to promote his administration, rather than personally responding to public concerns.

He argued that political endorsements and campaign rallies would do little to ease the financial pressures confronting households.

“Instead, he is assembling a crowd of politicians to speak for him. He can fill every campaign stage in Nigeria. He cannot fill an empty pot with surrogates. He cannot send a politician into a market to persuade prices to fall,” Atiku said.

“The people on his campaign council did not receive the mandate in 2023. Tinubu did. He made the promises. He took the decisions. He must face the questions.”

The former vice-president maintained that Nigerians would assess the president based on their experiences under his administration, rather than the arguments advanced by his supporters.

“Nigerians will hear whatever his surrogates have to say. But when they vote, they will remember what they have lived through. No crowd of politicians can stand between Tinubu and his record,” he said.