ADC Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s claims that Nigeria is making economic progress, saying many Nigerians are yet to feel any real improvement in their daily lives.
In his message to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, Atiku said government claims of economic recovery do not reflect the hardship faced by millions of citizens. He urged the administration to focus on improving living conditions, tackling insecurity and protecting democratic freedoms.
The former vice president argued that economic success should be measured by the welfare of ordinary Nigerians rather than government revenue or official statistics.
> “A growing government account is not a recovering Nigerian,” Atiku said.
He added: “A President may announce a new chapter in a speech. He cannot announce food onto a family’s table or money into a worker’s pocket.”
Referring to the rising cost of petrol and essential food items, Atiku said salary increases have failed to keep pace with inflation.
His message included a direct question to President Tinubu: “Bola, where is this prosperity?”
Atiku attacks fuel subsidy removal
The former vice president also criticised the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policy has brought hardship without delivering the expected benefits to ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, many households continue to struggle with the high cost of transportation and living.
> “Calling relief an addiction will not lower the price of petrol,” he said.
Atiku further asked: “Three years later, the pain has an address in every home. Bola, where is the benefit?”
As an alternative, he proposed a limited and budgeted production subsidy that would apply only to petrol refined within Nigeria, including fuel produced by modular refineries.
He explained that imported petrol should not qualify for the subsidy and that all payments should be independently audited to ensure consumers benefit through lower pump prices.
> “The principle is simple: produce here, refine here, create jobs here and pay less here,” he said.
Links insecurity to economic hardship
Atiku also identified insecurity as one of the country’s biggest challenges, saying violence across many communities continues to threaten food production and economic growth.
He said many farmers are unable to cultivate their land because of attacks by armed groups, while kidnappings have left many families living in fear.
> “A government that cannot make life affordable and cannot protect life has failed the two tests that matter most to its people,” he stated.
He added: “A farmer who cannot safely reach his field cannot wait for your theory of cheaper food.”
According to him, lasting economic recovery cannot be achieved without restoring security across the country.
Questions transport fare promise
The ADC presidential candidate also challenged the Federal Government over its promise of lower transport fares beginning October 1.
He argued that government announcements alone would not ease the burden on commuters if the promised reductions were not widely available.
> “Nigerians cannot board an announcement,” Atiku said.
He further asked: “Before I forget, you promised Nigerians lower transport fares from October 1. Today is October 1. Did your promise miss the bus?”
While acknowledging reports of reduced fares on some transport routes, Atiku said Nigerians deserve full disclosure on the number of routes covered, the old and new fares, and the number of commuters benefiting from the policy.
