“Nigerians Are Not Fools!” Atiku Fires Back At Tinubu: Stop Blaming The Opposition For Hunger As ₦11.2 Trillion NNPC Spending Questions Spark Accountability Demands

By Passman Akpos

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at President Bola Tinubu over his claim that the opposition was responsible for the hunger and poverty confronting Nigerians, accusing the President of attempting to shift responsibility for the country’s economic difficulties.

Atiku, through a statement issued on Saturday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, described Tinubu’s position as a “delusional, shameless attempt” to evade responsibility for the hardship Nigerians are experiencing.

The exchange comes as Tinubu formally launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, amid continuing public concerns over the cost of living, fuel prices and insecurity.

According to Atiku, the President cannot implement policies that contribute to economic hardship and subsequently blame political opponents for drawing attention to the consequences.

“Mr President, blaming the opposition for hunger is either delusion or a staggering case of political amnesia,” Atiku said.

He argued that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had governed Nigeria for eight years before Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, adding that the President had been in power for approximately three and a half years.

Atiku maintained that Nigerians were entitled to question the administration’s economic performance rather than accept what he described as attempts to shift blame to the opposition.

“The hardship your administration has brought upon Nigerians is real. You cannot deny it by blaming others,” he stated.

ATIKU QUESTIONS ABUJA-KADUNA EXPRESSWAY COMMISSIONING

The former Vice President also criticised Tinubu over the reported commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway from inside a stadium, arguing that a ceremony could not substitute for the physical completion of infrastructure projects.

“Your decision to commission the unfinished Abuja to Kaduna Expressway from inside a stadium shows how far removed you are from the daily reality of Nigerians,” Atiku said.

He added that infrastructure projects should be assessed on the basis of their actual completion and usefulness to the public, rather than official announcements and ceremonial events.

The criticism adds to the broader political debate over the delivery of infrastructure projects and the administration’s record as it seeks another presidential mandate in 2027.

FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL AND NAIRA DEPRECIATION

Atiku also challenged the President to account for the economic consequences of the removal of petrol subsidies and the depreciation of the naira.

He asked which administration removed the subsidy and presided over the currency’s depreciation from approximately ₦471 to the dollar to ₦1,329.

The former Vice President argued that the policies introduced under Tinubu had contributed to the financial pressures facing households and businesses.

However, the administration has defended its economic reforms, which include the removal of petrol subsidies and changes to the foreign-exchange regime. Reuters reported on Saturday that the reforms had improved public finances, foreign reserves and investor confidence, while also contributing to a severe cost-of-living crisis.

The debate therefore centres not only on the immediate costs of the reforms but also on whether their longer-term benefits will translate into meaningful improvements in Nigerians’ living conditions.

ATIKU CITES WORLD BANK POVERTY PROJECTIONS

The ADC presidential candidate further cited poverty projections attributed to the World Bank, arguing that the administration must explain why so many Nigerians continue to struggle to afford basic necessities.

Atiku referred to an estimate that 63 per cent of Nigerians would be living below the national poverty line in 2026.

The World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Poverty and Equity Brief does indeed estimate that the proportion of Nigerians living below the national poverty line reached 63 per cent in 2026. The figure is an estimate, rather than a claim that every affected household has been individually assessed.

Atiku also questioned the government’s handling of the 2024 and 2025 budgets, alleging that the 2024 budget was extended into 2025 while a separate 2025 budget was also being operated.

He argued that Nigerians deserved greater clarity about public expenditure, budget implementation and the results achieved from government spending.

QUESTIONS OVER TRILLIONS OF NAIRA IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE

The former Vice President raised further questions about public financial management, citing ₦7.13 trillion reportedly recorded under the heading of energy security in 2024 and ₦11.2 trillion in NNPC pipeline-related spending.

He demanded explanations regarding the beneficiaries of the expenditure and the projects or services delivered in return.

Atiku also questioned an alleged $12.4 billion gap in Nigeria’s external accounts for the first half of 2026 and a reported $22.5 million payment in “other charges” associated with an Abu Dhabi financing facility.

The figures and descriptions were presented in Atiku’s statement as questions requiring government clarification. Their inclusion in the statement does not, by itself, establish financial misconduct or prove that the amounts were improperly spent.

The federal government and the relevant financial institutions would need to provide detailed documentation and explanations to resolve the issues raised.

INSECURITY ALSO FEATURES IN ATIKU’S CRITICISM

Atiku further accused the administration of failing to adequately address killings, kidnappings and the displacement of communities across the country.

He argued that the security situation remained a major concern for Nigerians and should receive greater attention from the government.

The former Vice President questioned why the administration was focusing on blaming the opposition while citizens continued to demand protection, economic relief and improved living conditions.

His comments come amid persistent security challenges in parts of Nigeria, including armed banditry, kidnappings and insurgency.

‘NIGERIANS ARE ASKING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO END HUNGER’

In his closing remarks, Atiku argued that the government should be judged by the daily experiences of citizens rather than its explanations at political rallies.

“You cannot govern for three years, make life harder, and then blame others for describing the hardship. You asked who created the hunger. Nigerians are asking what you have done to end it,” he said.

He maintained that the consequences of government policies were being felt in homes, markets and communities, insisting that the administration should provide answers on the economy, public spending and security.

Atiku also described the 2027 presidential election as a referendum on Tinubu’s record, asserting that Nigerians would ultimately assess the government based on its performance.

The statement concluded with a rejection of the administration’s attempt to blame the opposition for the country’s economic challenges.

POLITICAL CONFRONTATION INTENSIFIES AHEAD OF 2027

The latest exchange highlights the growing confrontation between Tinubu’s APC and opposition forces as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

While Atiku has focused his criticism on the cost of living, public spending and insecurity, the Tinubu administration has defended its economic reforms as necessary measures to stabilise the country’s finances and improve long-term economic prospects.

The central question for Nigerians remains whether the government’s policies will deliver sustained improvements in purchasing power, employment, public services and security.

For the opposition, the administration’s record should be the principal subject of public scrutiny. For the government, the argument is that its reforms must be assessed beyond their immediate effects.

As the political debate continues, the claims, figures and counterarguments raised by both sides will require close examination against official records and independently verifiable evidence.