As President Bola Tinubu commemorates his second year in office, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has characterized the Tinubu administration as “incompetent,” “disconnected,” and “anti-people,” deeming it one of the most ineffective governments in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Atiku, in a tweet on Thursday, asserted that no prior administration has imposed such a level of hardship on the populace while exhibiting such a lack of regard for transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.
He claimed that the Tinubu-led government has exacerbated economic difficulties, escalated public debt, and implemented policies that disproportionately impact poorer Nigerians.
He highlighted the increase in Nigeria’s public debt from approximately ₦49 trillion in 2023 to ₦144 trillion by 2025, along with additional borrowing proposals that could elevate it to ₦183 trillion.
Atiku contrasted this with the actions of state governments, stating, “While the federal government accumulates debt, state governments have demonstrated greater fiscal discipline, reducing their debt levels from ₦5.86 trillion to ₦3.97 trillion. The message is unmistakable: the federal government, under Tinubu, is the main contributor to Nigeria’s current debt crisis.”
According to him, Tinubu’s administration has not only worsened poverty throughout the nation but has also established new records in extravagant public expenditure. At a time when millions of Nigerians are fighting to make ends meet, government officials are indulging in excess and sanctioning budgets that favor the elite at the expense of the average citizen.
“It is unfortunate that, in addition to being the poverty capital of the world, Nigeria has under this administration become the unfortunate leader in malnourished children in Africa, surpassing Sudan, a country embroiled in conflict.
According to the Global Hunger Index 2024, our nation ranks among those most severely impacted by hunger and malnutrition, holding the 18th position,” Atiku stated.
Atiku emphasized that the ongoing policies under this administration have disproportionately affected the impoverished while favoring the affluent.
From healthcare to education, identity management, and essential public services, Nigerians are currently confronted with systems based on class distinctions, where the wealthy receive preferential treatment, leaving the rest behind, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate remarked.
“Currently, Nigeria is a country where the affluent continue to amass wealth, while the less fortunate are penalized for their efforts to survive. This situation cannot and must not be overlooked.
