Renewed Hardship Instead of Hope — Atiku Criticizes Tinubu’s Performance

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s three years in office, saying the administration’s report card is reflected in hunger, poverty, insecurity and the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the assertion in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

Nigerians, he said, had seen enough of what he called political complacency, propaganda and governance by deception.

Atiku said Tinubu came into office promising renewed hope but rather had delivered hardship, insecurity, poverty and hopelessness.

“Three years ago, President Tinubu promised a renewed hope. Instead, what Nigerians have got is renewed hardship, renewed insecurity, renewed poverty and renewed hopelessness,” he said.

He said food prices have gone out of the reach of many families, while inflation, unemployment, naira depreciation and collapsing businesses have worsened hardship across the country.

The former vice president also criticised the administration’s borrowing, saying Nigerians had not witnessed corresponding improvement in their lives.

According to him, public records showed that the Federal Government borrowed about N11.9tn in nine months but only expended N3.1tn on capital projects.

“So Nigerians have a right to ask a simple question: where did the rest of the money go?” he said.

Atiku also sounded the alarm over major infrastructure projects, alleging that government spending benefits appear to be going to politically connected interests.

Atiku said the renewed occurrence of mass abductions was one of the strongest indictments of the administration’s record.

He cited the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State and the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

“What better evidence of failure could there be than for parents to send their children to school and receive news that they have been abducted?” he asked.

He said the incidents showed that many communities were still unsafe despite government claims of progress.

He accused the administration of paying lip service to the plight of Nigerians rather than addressing their lived realities.

“Propaganda cannot fill empty stomachs. “No amount of spin can erase insecurity,” he said.

The real test of governance, he said, was not what officials said about themselves but how people felt every day.

The ex-vice president said Nigerians had a constitutional weapon to demand change through the ballot box.

“The ballot box is the most powerful weapon in the hands of the people,” he said.

He urged citizens to organise, mobilise, participate and vote, noting that the era of taking Nigerians for granted was ending.

Atiku said that the ADC would soon unveil a comprehensive policy blueprint, to address the issue of economic hardship, insecurity, institutional weakness and governance failure.

The document will propose plans for economic recovery, job creation, security reform, fiscal discipline, education revival, healthcare expansion and restoration of confidence in public institutions, he said.

Atiku said his campaign would be based on ideas, solutions and competence and not insults, slogans and propaganda.

He said a government under his leadership would bring together experienced professionals and technocrats to rebuild the economy, restore security, strengthen institutions and create opportunities for young Nigerians.