Atiku to Tinubu: Focus on Nigeria’s Economic Crisis, Stop Targeting Opposition

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for what he termed interference in opposition affairs, while neglecting Nigeria’s deepening economic and security challenges.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, Atiku condemned Tinubu’s recent remarks about the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made during the 14th APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

The former vice president alleged that President Tinubu is manipulating state resources and institutions to disrupt opposition parties—an action Atiku described as a deliberate strategy aimed at turning Nigeria into a single-party state.

According to the statement, Tinubu is prioritizing his ambition for re-election in 2027, while ignoring the suffering of Nigerian citizens.

“Instead of interfering with the affairs of the ADC, President Tinubu should focus on mending the widening divide between himself and Vice President Kashim Shettima, and urgently address Nigeria’s deteriorating economic landscape,” the statement said.

Atiku’s media aide further denounced the presidency’s alleged misuse of public funds to sow discord within opposition ranks, calling it an unproductive and unethical waste of national resources.

The statement also pointed fingers at Tinubu’s administration for inciting tensions among supporters of Atiku and Peter Obi within the broader opposition alliance, describing it as a calculated move that failed to achieve its goal.

“It is now public knowledge that the rift between Atiku and Peter Obi’s supporters was intentionally ignited by the presidency. Fortunately, that plot collapsed. The alliance has healed, and we are more unified than before,” the statement emphasized.

In his broader assessment of Tinubu’s government, Atiku slammed the current administration as ineffective and disconnected from Nigeria’s urgent realities. He cited increased levels of insecurity, food scarcity, and worsening poverty as indicators of failed leadership.

Atiku also alleged that the presidency was deploying anti-corruption agencies and other government institutions as tools of coercion to intimidate and pressure opposition figures into joining the APC.

In conclusion, the former vice president urged President Tinubu to stop focusing on political gamesmanship and instead channel his energy toward tackling the real problems facing Nigeria.