Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is fast losing the confidence of Nigerians, insisting that the era of “political complacency, propaganda and governance by deception” is coming to an end.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Nigerians are preparing to “reclaim their country through the power of the ballot” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The era of excuses is ending. The era of accountability is approaching. The era of propaganda is fading. And with the support of Nigerians, a new chapter of competence, prosperity, security and genuine hope shall begin,” Atiku stated.
The former vice president launched a sweeping criticism of the Tinubu administration as it marks its third year in office, arguing that the true assessment of the government should not be based on “glossy advertisements” or official speeches, but on the harsh realities facing ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, millions of citizens are grappling with rising hunger, unemployment, insecurity and economic hardship.
“Three years ago, President Tinubu promised renewed hope. What Nigerians have received instead is renewed hardship, renewed insecurity, renewed poverty and renewed hopelessness,” he said.
Atiku accused the administration of presiding over soaring inflation, worsening food prices, the collapse of small businesses and a weakened naira that has severely affected the purchasing power of citizens.
He also questioned the Federal Government’s borrowing pattern, citing reports that approximately N11.9 trillion was borrowed within nine months while only about N3.1 trillion was allegedly spent on capital projects.
“Nigerians are entitled to ask a simple question: where did the rest of the money go?” he queried.
The former presidential candidate further criticised the concentration of major infrastructure projects, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway, alleging that public spending appears to favour politically connected interests.
According to Atiku, the situation has created a growing perception that ordinary Nigerians are being asked to endure sacrifices while a privileged few benefit from government patronage.
On insecurity, Atiku described the resurgence of mass abductions as one of the gravest failures of the administration, referencing recent incidents involving the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Borno State and the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“The tragedy of Borno and Oyo is not merely a security failure. It is the inevitable consequence of a government that has become detached from reality and addicted to propaganda,” he stated.
Atiku also dismissed official claims of economic and security improvements as “carefully curated narratives” designed to create a false impression of progress.
Warning against interpreting the patience of Nigerians as acceptance, he maintained that citizens remain dissatisfied with the current state of the nation and would ultimately express their verdict through the ballot box.
The former vice president added that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would soon unveil a comprehensive policy blueprint focusing on economic recovery, job creation, healthcare, fiscal discipline, security sector reforms and restoring confidence in public institutions.
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