Atiku Challenges Tinubu’s Prosperity Claim, Says Nigerians Can Barely Afford to Live

Atiku Challenges Tinubu’s Prosperity Claim, Says Nigerians Can Barely Afford to Live

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria has entered an era of prosperity, saying millions of Nigerians are still struggling to afford basic necessities.

Atiku made the remarks in his Independence Day address on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary, arguing that the economic gains highlighted by the government have yet to translate into improved living conditions for many households.

Tinubu, in his own Independence Day address, said Nigeria had moved from a period of difficult economic reforms into what he described as an era of shared and widespread prosperity. He said the government’s focus was now on lowering the cost of living, creating jobs, expanding production and improving opportunities for Nigerians.

Atiku, however, disputed that assessment, saying the reality confronting ordinary Nigerians was different from the picture presented by the government.

He argued that a reduction in the rate of inflation does not automatically restore the purchasing power lost by households after years of rising prices.

According to Atiku, the current N70,000 minimum wage can purchase about 50 litres of petrol, compared with about 118 litres that the former N30,000 minimum wage could buy in April 2023.

He also cited the rising prices of basic food items, including bread and eggs, as evidence of the pressure facing families.

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The ADC candidate said his approach to reducing petrol prices would include a capped and budgeted production subsidy restricted to petrol refined in Nigeria. Under his proposal, imported petrol would not qualify for the subsidy.

He said the arrangement would have a spending limit, with the cost made public and payments independently audited. He argued that such a policy could reduce pump prices while supporting domestic refining and creating jobs.

Atiku also questioned the Federal Government’s reported cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians, asking how more than 10 million beneficiaries were identified and paid.

He said the government should provide details of the beneficiaries and explain how the funds were disbursed.

The former vice president also raised concerns over Nigeria’s public debt, citing a debt stock of about N166.79 trillion as of the end of June 2026. He criticised the extension of the 2025 budget into 2026 and questioned the management of public resources.

On insecurity, Atiku said Nigerians continued to face threats from armed groups, while farmers in some communities remained unable to access their farms safely.

He also called for greater adherence to the rule of law, raising questions about the continued detention of certain individuals, including Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.

On the case of Nnamdi Kanu, Atiku said the legal process should respect his right to appeal and that the grievances surrounding the case should be addressed through lawful means.

He also criticised the reported arrest of Nigerians over the wearing of T-shirts bearing the slogan “Tinubu Must Go”, arguing that political expression should not by itself be treated as a criminal offence.

Atiku further challenged the administration over its handling of the economy, saying Nigerians had endured substantial hardship following the removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic reforms.

He maintained that the benefits promised from the reforms had not yet been sufficiently felt by ordinary citizens.

The ADC candidate urged Nigerians to remain engaged in the political process ahead of the 2027 general election, calling on voters to protect their votes and participate actively in determining the country’s leadership.

Atiku said the central issue was whether government policies were improving the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in the areas of food prices, transportation, employment, healthcare, security and household income.

His address came shortly after Tinubu told Nigerians that the government had completed the most difficult phase of its economic reforms and was now focused on translating those reforms into broader prosperity.

The contrasting Independence Day messages highlighted the competing assessments of Nigeria’s economic situation ahead of the 2027 elections, with Tinubu defending the direction of his reforms and Atiku arguing that the hardship experienced by many households remains unresolved.

Atiku Challenges Tinubu’s Prosperity Claim, Says Nigerians Can Barely Afford to Live