Atiku's Aide Critiques Tinubu's Rice Support Initiative

Phrank Shaibu, the senior special assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, criticized the rice and cash support initiative launched by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, which aimed to assist vulnerable households across 19 northern states ahead of the Eid el-Kabir celebration. Shaibu accused the initiative of politicizing hardship rather than providing a genuine response to economic distress, highlighting the rising food prices and inflation affecting millions in Nigeria.

He described the distribution as a "subtle weaponizing of hunger" and criticized the government's failure to address structural issues causing the crisis. The initiative, which involved the distribution of 100 trucks of rice and N1.2 billion in cash, was carried out in collaboration with Ibrahim Masari, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters.

Shaibu emphasized the need for sustainable food security policies rather than temporary handouts that serve political purposes.