ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to defend his record in office before seeking re-election in 2027, arguing that political allies cannot replace the President’s personal accountability to Nigerians.

Atiku’s position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Mr Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

He was reacting to reports that President Tinubu might not attend all campaign rallies ahead of the 2027 general elections because of the demands of governance.

Atiku questioned the President’s explanation, asking why similar urgency had not been demonstrated in addressing the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.

He said that after three and a half years in office, many households were still struggling with the cost of food, while some pensioners found it difficult to afford medicines and young people faced challenges securing decent employment.

The former Vice-President urged Tinubu to explain how his administration’s policies had affected ordinary Nigerians and what measures had been taken to make essential goods and services more affordable.

He also criticised the President’s reliance on governors, ministers and politicians who had recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to defend his administration and promote his re-election bid.

According to Atiku, those supporting the President’s campaign could not take responsibility for decisions made by the administration or answer questions about the promises made to Nigerians during the 2023 election.

He argued that campaign rallies and political endorsements would not resolve the economic pressures facing households, insisting that voters would assess the President based on their personal experiences under his government.

Atiku further questioned what he described as the administration’s emphasis on foreign creditors and investors while Nigerians continued to contend with rising living costs and financial obligations.

He maintained that the needs of citizens deserved the same urgency accorded to engagements with international creditors and investors.

The former Vice-President said Nigerians would ultimately judge Tinubu’s performance at the polls in 2027 based on the realities of their daily lives rather than the arguments advanced by members of the President’s campaign team.

The criticism comes as political parties and opposition figures intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the economy, cost of living, employment and the effects of government policies expected to feature prominently in political campaigns.

The Federal Government has defended its economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange regime, as necessary measures to stabilise the economy and improve public finances. The reforms have, however, attracted criticism over their effects on transport costs, food prices and household purchasing power.

Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party, is now associated with the ADC-led opposition coalition seeking to challenge Tinubu in the next general election.