Atiku Makes Fresh Allegations Against Tinubu, Reacts To Claims That Opposition Created Hunger

According to a Facebook post on Saturday, October 24, 2026, ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar accused President Bola Tinubu of blaming the opposition for hunger and poverty. He said the President should take responsibility for his administration’s economic policies.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the hardship experienced by Nigerians predated the opposition’s criticism of the government.

He noted that the APC had governed the country for eight years before Tinubu assumed office. He urged the President to account for his administration’s record.

Atiku also questioned the government’s handling of infrastructure. He cited the commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway amid allegations that the road remained unfinished.

He challenged Tinubu to explain the removal of the petrol subsidy, the depreciation of the naira and rising poverty. He cited a World Bank estimate that 63 per cent of Nigerians would be living below the national poverty line in 2026.

The former Vice President also questioned several government expenditures. These included ₦7.13tn reportedly recorded under energy security in 2024 and ₦11.2tn in Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited pipeline-related expenditure. He further raised concerns about an alleged $12.4bn gap in Nigeria’s external accounts for the first half of 2026. He also questioned a reported $22.5m payment described as other charges under an Abu Dhabi financing facility. Atiku called for transparency and accountability over the expenditures.

Atiku also criticised the administration over persistent killings, kidnappings and the displacement of communities across the country. He said the 2027 presidential election would give Nigerians an opportunity to assess Tinubu’s performance. He argued that the government should be judged by citizens’ living conditions, rather than its explanations for the country’s economic difficulties.

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