Former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, delivered his 66th independence anniversary address at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, sharply criticizing President Bola Tinubu for escalating living costs and widespread insecurity since taking office in 2023.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In his speech, Atiku addressed the severe economic struggles facing ordinary citizens:

• Millions of Nigerians are fighting for basic necessities like food, fair wages, and safe travel.

• The past three years under President Tinubu have sparked the worst cost of living crisis in the nation’s history, forcing families to skip meals, delay medical care, and borrow money.

• The administration’s sudden removal of the fuel subsidy without adequate consumer protection drove up petrol, transportation, and food prices, prompting Atiku to question the promised benefits.

• Key economic figures show stark declines in purchasing power: while the minimum wage shifted on paper from thirty thousand naira in April 2023 to seventy thousand naira, the actual volume of petrol it can buy dropped from about 118 liters down to just 50 liters.

• Staple items saw massive price spikes between April 2023 and May 2026, with an average egg rising from about ₦88 to ₦261, and a sliced loaf jumping from around ₦500 to roughly ₦2,000.

Atiku also challenged the President’s optimistic claims of economic recovery, arguing that a slow-down in inflation does not restore what families have lost. He criticized administration policies regarding high public debt—noting that public debt reached ₦166.79 trillion by the end of June alongside discussions for additional World Bank loans—and demanded transparency regarding major contracts, public spending, and cash transfer distributions.

On security and governance, Atiku condemned the ongoing threats leaving thousands of citizens displaced, farmers unable to safely access their fields, and families burdened by ransom demands. He called for the strict application of the rule of law, mentioning the need for due process regarding the detentions of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria and Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, respecting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s right to appeal, and the release of young Nigerians arrested for political slogans.

Concluding his address, Atiku presented an alternative path focused on affordability, including introducing a capped, budgeted production subsidy tied to locally refined fuel, restoring security, and ensuring public resources serve the general welfare.