Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Exporting Wealth, Importing Hardship

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, accused President Bola Tinubu of implementing economic policies that export Nigeria's wealth in raw form while leaving citizens with diminished purchasing power and struggling factories. In a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku noted that Nigeria's raw-material exports surged by 106 percent, from N1.86 trillion in the first half of 2025 to N3.84 trillion in the first half of 2026.

He criticized the government for celebrating trade surpluses while ordinary families face rising prices and unsold manufactured goods worth about N2.14 trillion. Atiku emphasized that exporting raw materials without processing them deprives Nigeria of potential profits and contributes to the economic struggles of its citizens, who are unable to afford basic necessities.

He stated, “You cannot build a $1 trillion economy by making your own people poorer,” underscoring the paradox of wealth exportation versus local poverty.