Atiku Abubakar Critiques Tinubu's Economic Policies

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticized President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, highlighting the struggles of Nigerians with the increasing cost of living. In a statement from Phrank Shaibu, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council’s Director of Strategic Communications, Atiku asserted that Nigerians do not benefit from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures or government revenue announcements.

He referenced a June 2026 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report that acknowledged improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic outcomes but noted that 63 percent of Nigerians live below the national poverty line, with 27 million facing food insecurity. Atiku pointed out that rising fuel prices, with petrol costing around N1,400 per litre in Lagos and Abuja, have intensified financial pressures on households.

He criticized the notion that economic reforms should burden the poor while benefiting the wealthy, questioning the promised gains from the current economic pain.