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Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused President Bola Tinubu of evading responsibility for Nigeria’s economic hardship after blaming the opposition for hunger and poverty.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the ADC presidential campaign council, Atiku described Tinubu’s remarks as a “delusional, shameless attempt” to avoid accountability for his administration’s record.
Tinubu had blamed the opposition for the hunger and poverty confronting Nigerians while speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created the hunger; they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” the president said.
Tinubu also defended his administration’s performance, saying salaries were being paid regularly, and praised APC governors for their work.
But Atiku said the ruling party could not blame the opposition for economic difficulties after 11 years in power, including eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu’s tenure since 2023.
“Mr President, blaming the opposition for hunger is either delusion or a staggering case of political amnesia. The APC governed Nigeria for eight years before you took office. You have added another three and a half years,” he said.
“Nigerians know who has been in power, and hardship did not begin when the opposition started talking about it. Stop insulting their intelligence and answer for your record.”
Atiku said the economic difficulties facing Nigerians could not be dismissed by blaming political opponents.
“The hardship your administration has brought upon Nigerians is real. You cannot deny it by blaming others,” he said.
The Cable
