Atiku Faults FG's Economic Recovery Claims, Says Nigerians See No Improvement

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Federal Government's claims that Nigeria's economy is recovering, arguing that the reality faced by millions of Nigerians reflects worsening hardship rather than improving living conditions. He said soaring inflation, rising poverty and the continued decline of the manufacturing sector contradict official narratives of economic progress.

In a statement released on Monday, Atiku questioned recent government assertions that prosperity is on the horizon, saying such claims are disconnected from the daily experiences of ordinary citizens. According to him, many households continue to struggle with the high cost of food, transportation and other essential goods despite repeated assurances that economic reforms are yielding positive results.

The former Vice President also expressed concern over the state of Nigeria's manufacturing sector, noting that many businesses are grappling with rising production costs, unstable electricity supply and exchange rate pressures. He argued that these challenges have forced several companies to scale down operations or shut down entirely, resulting in job losses and reduced industrial output.

Atiku maintained that genuine economic recovery should be reflected in improved purchasing power, lower inflation, increased employment and stronger industrial growth rather than official pronouncements. He urged the Federal Government to adopt policies that directly address the cost-of-living crisis and create an environment where businesses can thrive and Nigerians can feel the benefits of economic reforms.

He further called on the administration to focus on practical solutions capable of restoring public confidence in the economy, insisting that optimism alone cannot substitute for measurable improvements in the lives of citizens. Atiku said Nigerians would judge the success of government policies by tangible outcomes rather than official declarations.