Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria is on the path to prosperity, arguing that millions of Nigerians continue to face severe economic hardship, insecurity and declining living standards.
The statement followed President Tinubu’s recent declaration that his administration’s economic reforms are beginning to produce positive results and that Nigeria is gradually moving toward lasting prosperity.
Reacting to the President’s recent remarks that government reforms are beginning to improve the country’s fortunes, Atiku said the situation experienced by ordinary citizens tells a completely different story.
According to him, rising inflation, unemployment, insecurity and the soaring cost of living have made survival increasingly difficult for households across the country.
The opposition leader made his position known in a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who questioned whether the administration’s optimistic assessment reflects the realities confronting Nigerians.
Atiku argued that while government officials continue to highlight positive economic indicators, many citizens measure progress by the prices they pay for food, transportation, rent, healthcare and other daily necessities.
According to him, inflation has continued to erode purchasing power, leaving workers, pensioners and low-income earners struggling to meet their basic needs despite earning regular incomes.
He noted that many civil servants can no longer rely on their monthly salaries to cover family expenses, while market traders and small business owners are experiencing declining patronage because consumers have drastically reduced spending.
The former Vice President also expressed concern about the manufacturing sector, saying many companies are battling high production costs, unstable electricity supply and increasing energy expenses, forcing some businesses to scale back operations.
He added that unemployment remains a major challenge, with thousands of graduates entering the labour market each year without corresponding job opportunities.
Beyond the economy, Atiku maintained that insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods across several parts of the country.
He said persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers have displaced farming communities, disrupted agricultural production and contributed to rising food prices.
According to him, many Nigerians now live in constant fear as violent attacks and abductions continue to affect both rural and urban communities.
While acknowledging that the Tinubu administration inherited significant economic and security challenges, Atiku insisted that the responsibility of solving those problems now rests with the current government.
He argued that after spending more than three years in office, the administration should be judged by its performance rather than by repeated references to inherited challenges.
“The Constitution did not swear President Tinubu into office to explain history. It swore him into office to change it,” Atiku stated.
He further accused the administration of presiding over deepening economic hardship, inadequate fiscal transparency and policies that have pushed more Nigerians below the poverty line.
The former Vice President also criticised President Tinubu’s comments regarding Nigeria’s growing population, arguing that a large population should be viewed as a national asset rather than a burden.
Drawing comparisons with China, Atiku said countries that successfully transformed their economies achieved sustainable growth by investing in manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, education and export-driven industries.
He argued that Nigeria’s youthful population could become a major driver of economic development if supported through strategic investments in agriculture, industrialisation, skills acquisition and modern infrastructure.
According to Atiku, an ADC-led administration would prioritise policies aimed at expanding local production, strengthening agriculture, improving education, supporting manufacturing and creating sustainable employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
He maintained that Nigeria’s current challenges are not the result of its population size but of poor leadership and ineffective governance.
Atiku also described as insensitive any suggestion that Nigerians should endure today’s economic hardship simply because previous generations experienced difficult times.
He stressed that citizens voted for the present administration with the expectation of improved living conditions, not explanations for why hardship should continue.
The former Vice President said genuine hope cannot be sustained through speeches or optimistic projections alone but must be demonstrated through practical policies that improve people’s daily lives.
He identified affordable food, reliable electricity, accessible healthcare, quality education, improved security and job creation as the key indicators by which Nigerians would judge the success of any administration.
He urged President Tinubu to engage more directly with the experiences of ordinary citizens rather than relying solely on official reports and government briefings.
“If the President truly believes that the quality of life is improving, then one must respectfully remind him that the Nigeria he is talking about exists only in his head,” Atiku said.
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