Atiku Abubakar rebuts Tinubu's claim that opposition caused Nigeria's hunger crisis

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has issued a sharp rebuke to President Bola Tinubu following the head of state's recent accusation that opposition politicians are responsible for Nigeria's hunger and poverty. Abubakar described the President's comments as a delusional and shameless attempt to shift blame away from the current government for the economic difficulties facing Nigerians. The ADC candidate stated that a president cannot create hardship through their own policies and then attribute the resulting suffering to their political opponents.

The exchange occurred against the backdrop of the 2027 general elections, with both camps actively campaigning. Tinubu made the initial allegation on Saturday during an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign flag-off event in Kaduna State. During the address, the President told the crowd that he heard opponents discussing hunger and poverty, asserting that they were the ones who created these conditions. He framed his re-election bid as a promise of prosperity, urging the public not to regret supporting a second term for his administration. In response, Abubakar’s camp issued a statement arguing that the President is attempting to insult the intelligence of the Nigerian people by deflecting from his own record.

Background

The political confrontation is rooted in the timeline of governance in Nigeria. According to the ADC statement, the APC party governed Nigeria for eight years prior to Tinubu taking office, and the President has since added another three and a half years to that period. Abubakar argued that Nigerians are aware of who has been in power and that the current hardship did not begin when opposition leaders started discussing it. The statement further highlighted specific administrative actions, noting that the President commissioned the unfinished Abuja to Kaduna Expressway from inside a stadium. The ADC used this example to illustrate what they described as a disconnect between the administration and the daily realities of citizens, asserting that infrastructure projects cannot be completed through speeches or ribbon-cutting ceremonies alone.

Tinubu’s remarks come amid significant public concern regarding the rising cost of living, food prices, and general economic hardship. These challenges have followed the removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic reforms introduced by the current administration. While the President has repeatedly defended these policies as necessary measures to stabilise the economy and deliver long-term prosperity, opposition leaders have consistently criticised the government. Their criticisms focus on inflation, insecurity, and the worsening living conditions experienced by many Nigerians as political parties prepare for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the deepening polarisation in Nigerian politics as the 2027 elections approach. The core issue is the attribution of economic responsibility for the current crisis. The administration maintains that its reforms are essential for future stability, while the opposition contends that the government is responsible for the present misery and is using rhetoric to avoid accountability. For voters, this debate centres on whether the economic hardships are a result of necessary structural adjustments or the consequences of specific policy choices made by the current leadership. The ADC's response specifically targets the narrative that the opposition bears any blame for the economic state of the country, emphasising the length of time the ruling party has held power.

What happens next

The 2027 general elections remain the primary upcoming event where these political narratives will be tested. Both the APC and the ADC, along with other political parties, are in the process of preparing their campaigns. The ongoing debate over economic performance and responsibility is expected to remain a central theme in the electoral discourse as the candidates continue to address the public in various states.