Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over rising living costs, insecurity and poor police welfare, accusing him of celebrating Nigerians’ hardship.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku described Tinubu’s removal of petrol subsidy as “like a wicked king recounting the suffering he had inflicted as a triumph.”
“Bola, you are the Egypt Nigerians are desperate to escape. You celebrate the day you made fuel more expensive, then lecture families struggling to pay for food and transport about why they must never go back,” he said.
He added: “A mother trying to feed her children cannot pay for food with a metaphor. A worker cannot get to work on a story about the Red Sea. Nigerians are asking how you intend to make life affordable. Answer them.”
Atiku promised targeted support for verified petroleum products refined and sold locally, excluding imported fuel, with independent auditors tracking the funds.
On insecurity, he cited Tinubu’s campaign Director-General as asking, “What do you expect Tinubu to do when even Buhari, a general, could not wipe out insecurity?”
Atiku replied, “Let me remind them that President Yar’Adua was not a sergeant, yet he stamped it out.”
He said Tinubu must confront k+llers, rescue abducted victims and make communities safe, adding that lives lost under the president’s watch were “an indictment of his own leadership.”
Atiku also claimed a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police told him he received ₦29,000 monthly in pension, urging Tinubu to act on the Police Exit Bill and review officers’ salaries and retirement benefits.
“How can a President demand courage from police officers in the field while leaving them worried about food at home and destitution in retirement?” he asked.
Concluding, Atiku said: “For millions of Nigerians, Egypt is the hunger, fear and indignity they are living through under you.”
“Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again.”
