Tinubu Should Tackle Hunger, Insecurity, Not Opponents

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on addressing Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges instead of engaging in political battles with his opponents.

Atiku’s reaction followed President Tinubu’s declaration on Tuesday that he was prepared to “wrestle” his political opponents “to the finishing point” ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the President’s remarks as evidence of a leader attempting to divert attention from what he called the failures of his administration.

“Mr President, you are a drowning man. Wrestle with your failures, not your opponents,” Atiku said.

The former vice president argued that Tinubu made the statement while responding to an appeal by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for credible, transparent and peaceful elections, adding that the occasion required reassurance and statesmanship rather than combative language.

According to Atiku, the President should instead focus on tackling inflation, food insecurity, unemployment, insecurity and the country’s economic challenges.

“The President should wrestle with the millions of Nigerians who now skip meals because food has become a luxury.

“He should wrestle with the insecurity that has turned farming communities into graveyards and highways into hunting grounds for criminals.

“He should wrestle with the unemployment that has robbed an entire generation of hope. He should wrestle with an economy suffocating under policy inconsistency, reckless borrowing and dwindling investor confidence,” he stated.

Atiku maintained that governments with poor records often resort to political theatrics to distract citizens from public dissatisfaction.

“These are the words of a drowning man. A government that has little to celebrate inevitably seeks refuge in chest-thumping.

“But Nigerians are no longer interested in political performances. They are interested in performance in government.

“Empty slogans cannot fill empty stomachs. Boastful declarations cannot lower food prices. Threats against political opponents cannot restore the value of the naira,” he added.

The former vice president also argued that Tinubu’s greatest political challenge was the performance of his own administration rather than the opposition.

He stressed that elections are decided by voters based on leadership performance, not political rhetoric.

Atiku further accused the Federal Government of fiscal recklessness following reports that it exceeded the borrowing limit approved by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year.

Citing Budget Office figures, he alleged that the government borrowed ₦12.62 trillion, exceeding the approved ceiling by ₦4.79 trillion, while also obtaining an additional ₦3.19 trillion as budget support.

He described the development as evidence of poor fiscal discipline despite increased oil revenue following higher global crude prices.

According to him, rising debt servicing obligations and continued borrowing have failed to translate into improvements in education, healthcare, security or infrastructure.

Atiku said an ADC-led government would prioritise prudent financial management, eliminate waste and channel public resources into productive investments capable of improving the welfare of Nigerians.