Atiku Abubakar Critiques Tinubu's Economic Performance

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration, stating that Nigerians cannot eat Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures or use debt-to-GDP ratios for sustenance. He responded to the Presidency's defense of Tinubu's economic performance, labeling it a propaganda effort rather than a reflection of real results.

Atiku pointed out that 767 factories have closed down and 335 are in distress, asserting that the government's economic success exists only in statements. He questioned why, if the economy is performing well, Nigerians are becoming poorer.

Atiku referenced the government's simultaneous work on the 2024, 2025, and 2026 budgets while urging citizens to overlook the adverse effects of past economic decisions. He noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that 63% of Nigerians live below the national poverty line and approximately 27 million faced food insecurity by late 2025, highlighting the disconnect between government statistics and the realities faced by ordinary citizens.