Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Evading Responsibility for Nigeria's Economic Crisis

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at President Bola Tinubu over the President's recent statements attributing Nigeria's economic hardships to opposition parties. In a statement released through his campaign council, Atiku dismissed Tinubu's assertions as both delusional and an evasion of accountability for the government's own policy decisions.

Atiku's counterattack came after Tinubu made remarks at a campaign rally linking opposition activity to the hunger and poverty currently affecting Nigerians. The ADC presidential candidate framed the dispute using a metaphor, arguing that a leader cannot ignite hardship through their own governance choices and then assign blame to external actors for the resulting consequences.

He noted that the ruling APC held power for eight years before Tinubu's presidency began, and that Tinubu has now served an additional three and a half years. The former Vice President contended that Nigerians are aware of which party has controlled government during the period when economic conditions deteriorated.

He identified specific failures including currency instability and rising poverty rates as direct outcomes of the current administration's record. Atiku's camp, speaking through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, characterized the President's position as a shameless effort to shift responsibility.

This exchange reflects intensifying political tension as campaigns approach critical phases. The debate centers on whether current economic distress stems from policies enacted under Tinubu's watch or from systemic challenges inherited from previous administrations.

Both the government and opposition camps are using the poverty and hardship narrative as a central campaign argument, with each side directing voters to assign blame accordingly.