Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the most incompetent and anti-people government in Nigeria’s democratic history. In a statement personally signed on Wednesday to mark President Tinubu’s second year in office, Atiku accused the administration of deepening hardship and poverty among Nigerians through what he called poor governance and wasteful spending.
Atiku said that in just two years, the Tinubu-led government had failed to demonstrate responsible leadership, transparency, and accountability. He blamed the current levels of poverty and hunger in the country on the government’s economic policies, adding that the administration has inflicted more suffering on Nigerians than any previous government. He said Nigeria, under Tinubu, has become the capital of malnourished children in Africa, surpassing even Sudan, which is currently experiencing conflict.
The former Vice President also claimed that the government’s policies favour the rich while making life harder for the poor. He accused President Tinubu of being responsible for Nigeria’s mounting debt crisis and said the administration has set new records in wasteful public spending.
In response, President Tinubu used the occasion of his midterm in office to defend his administration’s performance and outline achievements recorded over the past two years. Speaking on Wednesday, Tinubu said his government had made significant progress in economic reforms, social investment, infrastructure development, and national security. He said his administration had cleared billions of dollars in foreign exchange debt, launched several road construction projects across the country, and attracted foreign direct investments into key sectors, including solid minerals. The president also cited improvements in GDP growth and foreign reserves as indicators of economic recovery and stability.
President Tinubu maintained that his administration was committed to fighting insecurity, rebuilding the economy, and providing opportunities for Nigerians. He said that despite the challenges, his government had laid a foundation for long-term growth and would continue to pursue policies that promote national development.
As Tinubu enters the second half of his first term, debates over the administration’s performance continue to divide public opinion, with political leaders and citizens closely watching the government’s next steps.
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