Atiku Challenges Tinubu Over Economic Hardship as 2027 Politics Heats Up

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over economic hardship and insecurity, adding to the growing political debate ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The criticism was issued in two linked statements on October 14 and October 15, 2026, as political parties intensify preparations for the poll. Atiku, now presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has repeatedly called for changes in economic management. His latest remarks centre on the rising cost of living and insecurity. In a direct appeal to voters posted on his X account on Wednesday, October 14, Atiku painted a picture of everyday struggles parents unable to afford food, pensioners choosing between medicine and meals, and workers whose earnings are swallowed by transport and rent. He urged: “If you are a registered voter, please go and collect your PVC. Hold on to it. It is your voice, your choice and your peaceful power to demand change,” He then took direct aim at the President: “Bola made life expensive. I will work to make life affordable again and restore the security every Nigerian deserves,” In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 15, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku reacted to the revised APC Presidential Campaign Council inaugurated at the Presidential Villa. He described the expanded council as “a crowded confession of Tinubu’s fear” “Only a man afraid of his record would think he could bury it under hundreds of names. Tinubu can gather every governor, minister and political defector in Nigeria. None of them can erase the hunger in people’s homes, bring back those killed by violence or free Nigerians still held captive. Their families are waiting for answers, not another campaign list,”On the venue, he said: “The Presidential Villa belongs to the Nigerian people. It is not a campaign venue or the private property of any political party. Using it for an APC political event is a gross breach of public trust and a troubling abuse of public office,” Linking hardship to data, he cited: The 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index recorded an increase of 17.9 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty. Three and a half years of Tinubu’s leadership have left millions in deeper hardship and thousands more traumatised by insecurity.” Since May 2023, Tinubu’s administration has removed petrol subsidy and reformed the foreign exchange system. The government defends them as necessary to reduce fiscal pressure. Critics, including Atiku, argue the benefits have not reached households quickly enough, with higher food, transport and living costs. Atiku said voters would judge Tinubu not by the size of his campaign council but by their lived experiences food affordability, workers’ purchasing power, school fees and security. As campaigning develops, economic conditions are likely to remain central to how voters assess the administration before the 2027 election.