Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for Nigeria’s economic challenges, government spending and persistent insecurity, warning that his administration’s record will be a major issue in the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said Nigerians would assess the Tinubu government based on their experiences of rising living costs, poverty and insecurity rather than its explanations or criticism of the opposition.
The former vice president made the remarks in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, on Saturday.
He accused the Tinubu administration of shifting responsibility for the country’s economic difficulties to opposition figures instead of addressing the concerns of Nigerians.
Atiku questioned the consequences of the removal of petrol subsidy and the depreciation of the naira, citing the exchange rate movement from approximately N471 to N1,329 to the dollar.
He also raised concerns about poverty projections, budget implementation and public expenditure, calling for greater transparency over several government spending figures.
Among the issues he highlighted were the reported N7.13 trillion recorded under energy security in 2024, questions surrounding N11.2 trillion in NNPC pipeline-related spending, and a $12.4 billion gap reportedly identified in Nigeria’s external accounts for the first half of 2026.
Atiku further questioned the reported $22.5 million in “other charges” associated with the Abu Dhabi financing facility, arguing that Nigerians deserved explanations about how public funds were spent and what results were achieved.
The ADC candidate also faulted the government over continued killings, kidnappings and displacement in parts of the country, saying security concerns remained a major issue for affected communities.
“You cannot govern for three years, make life harder, and then blame others for describing the hardship,” Atiku said in the statement.
He maintained that the administration should be judged by its impact on the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly in their homes, markets and communities.
Atiku described the 2027 presidential election as a referendum on Tinubu’s performance, insisting that economic conditions and the government’s handling of national challenges would feature prominently in voters’ assessment of the president.
He also claimed that Nigerians had rejected the administration because of the hardship they were experiencing.
However, Atiku’s assertions about public opinion represent his political assessment, while the spending figures and economic claims cited in the statement would require independent verification and relevant official explanations.
The Tinubu administration’s response to the specific allegations was not included in the statement.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, the economy, public spending, security and accountability are likely to remain central issues in political debates between the ruling party and opposition groups.
