Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has intensified criticism of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that the era of “political complacency, propaganda, and governance by deception” is nearing its end as Nigerians prepare for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the real verdict on the Tinubu administration after three years in office lies in worsening hardship, insecurity, and public frustration rather than government scorecards and publicity campaigns.
According to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Nigerians were promised “renewed hope” but instead received “renewed hardship, renewed insecurity, renewed poverty, and renewed hopelessness.”
The former vice president accused the government of relying heavily on propaganda while citizens continue to battle inflation, rising food prices, unemployment, shrinking purchasing power, and business closures.
“Never in recent history have so many Nigerians worked so hard only to become poorer,” Atiku stated.
He also questioned the Federal Government’s rising borrowing profile, alleging that huge sums borrowed in the name of infrastructure have not translated into visible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Atiku specifically referenced projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway, arguing that the administration had created an impression that public spending primarily benefits politically connected interests.
The former vice president further criticised the government over worsening insecurity, especially recent school abductions in Borno and Oyo states.
“What greater evidence of failure can there be than parents sending their children to school only to receive news that they have been abducted?” he asked.
He urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue abducted pupils and teachers, warning that delayed responses to attacks only embolden criminal groups.
Atiku also advocated the establishment of special courts for terrorism-related offences and called for stricter enforcement of penalties against convicted terrorists.
According to him, insecurity has become a major threat to education and national stability, undermining the Safe Schools Initiative.
The former vice president maintained that despite official claims of economic progress, many Nigerians are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the administration.
“They tell Nigerians the economy is improving, yet families skip meals. They tell Nigerians insecurity is declining, yet communities live in fear,” he said.
Atiku argued that democracy gives citizens the constitutional power to hold leaders accountable through elections.
“The ballot box remains the most powerful weapon in the hands of the people. It is stronger than propaganda. It is stronger than intimidation. It is stronger than incumbency,” he declared.
He concluded by warning that Nigerians’ patience should not be mistaken for approval, insisting that citizens retain the right to reclaim power whenever they believe their trust has been betrayed.
