The nation’s political landscape heated up this week as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar sharply criticised the Bola Tinubu-led administration, blaming it for the worsening insecurity and rising hunger in Nigeria. Atiku’s comments have triggered swift and scathing responses from the presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the former VP of incitement and hypocrisy.
But as the war of words continues amid insecurity and economic hardship, Nigerians just want the burden on them reduced
Speaking during a meeting on Tuesday, September 16, with political stakeholders from Borno State led by Hon. Mohammed Kumalia, Atiku described the state of insecurity in the country as “a clear failure of political leadership.” He pointed specifically to the occupation of Nigerian territories by armed groups across parts of the North East, North West, and North Central as a disturbing trend that security agencies are capable of resolving—if only the political will existed.
“It is unacceptable that bandits or terrorists continue to take over communities, imposing levies on citizens and disrupting farming activities. Unless we have a leadership that can confront all these criminal structures decisively, you can’t resolve these issues,” Atiku stated.
Just a day earlier, Atiku had issued a separate statement condemning what he described as “pervasive hunger and unacceptable poverty” in Nigeria. Drawing historical parallels to global uprisings such as the French and Russian revolutions, as well as the Arab Spring, he warned that the current socio-economic conditions in Nigeria were creating fertile ground for unrest.
“The poor are increasingly dying of hunger while the majority of the living poor exist at the mercy of ill-advised government policies,” he said.
The presidency, however, wasted no time in firing back. In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the administration dismissed Atiku’s claims as “out of touch” and “grossly misleading.” Onanuga pointed to recent economic data showing positive growth: a decline in inflation for the fifth consecutive month, a record trade surplus, rising foreign exchange reserves now approaching $42 billion, and improved fiscal performance by state governments.
“Talk is cheap,” Onanuga said. “Atiku and his handlers are clearly out of touch with the positive developments currently unfolding in our country.”
The APC followed up with an even more blistering response. In a strongly worded statement issued on September 15 by Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the ruling party accused Atiku of “tacitly instigating a revolution” and described his rhetoric as “reckless, irresponsible, unpatriotic and unacceptable.”
“Atiku and his PDP democratised hunger and poverty in our country,” the statement read. “They governed for 16 years, did not and could not eradicate hunger, poverty and insecurity in Nigeria. Instead, they looted the treasury and enthroned corruption.”
The APC further accused the former Vice President of being “blinded by desperation” and “tormented by an unrealized presidential ambition.”
Political analysts say the renewed exchange reflects a deepening rift between the ruling party and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections. While Atiku’s supporters argue that his comments reflect the frustrations of ordinary Nigerians, critics within the government warn that such rhetoric may stoke instability.
