The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has berated the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government over rising hunger, poverty and insecurity.
The former Vice President stated that Nigerians are facing worsening economic hardship as the Tinubu administration celebrates its third year in office.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the country is grappling with soaring food prices, unemployment and declining purchasing power.
The statement read, “Three years ago, President Tinubu promised renewed hope. What Nigerians have received instead is renewed hardship, renewed insecurity, renewed poverty, and renewed hopelessness.”
He said millions of Nigerians could no longer afford basic necessities, noting that inflation had continued to put pressure on ordinary citizens and businesses.
“Today, millions of Nigerians can no longer afford the basic necessities of life. Food prices have skyrocketed beyond the reach of ordinary families. Inflation has become a cruel tax on the poor. Small and medium-scale businesses are shutting their doors.
“Never in recent history have so many Nigerians worked so hard only to become poorer,” the statement read.
The former Vice President also expressed concern over the country’s economic situation, saying many Nigerians were working harder but becoming poorer.
On insecurity, Atiku said recent incidents of kidnappings and attacks in parts of the country had heightened fears among citizens.
“The recent abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State and the mass kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are not isolated incidents,” the statement read.
He added that Nigerians were increasingly demanding accountability from leaders and urged citizens to use democratic processes to shape the country’s future.
“The ballot box remains the most powerful weapon in the hands of the people. It is stronger than propaganda. It is stronger than intimidation. It is stronger than incumbency,” it added.
He also said that the ADC would soon unveil a policy blueprint aimed at addressing economic, security and governance challenges facing the country.
According to him, the proposed plan would focus on economic recovery, job creation, education, healthcare and reforms in public institutions.
“At the end of the day, Nigerians seek leadership that is competent, compassionate, accountable, and genuinely committed to the public good,” the statement added.
Recall that the President assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to improving security across the country, saying efforts by the Armed Forces and security agencies are yielding positive results in many communities.
In a Friday statement to mark the end of his third year as president, Tinubu said that security remains central to the nation’s development and prosperity.
“Security remains central to our national mission and to the creation of a virile and prosperous society. Our Armed Forces and security agencies have intensified operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and criminal networks,” he said.
The President acknowledged that security challenges still persist in parts of the country but noted that several communities and highways were becoming safer and more economically active due to sustained operations by security agencies.
According to him, the Federal Government is investing heavily in intelligence gathering, surveillance, logistics, technology, and inter-agency coordination to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
“We are improving the capabilities of our armed forces and security agencies, and reclaiming the authority of the Nigerian state wherever criminality threatens peace and order,” Tinubu stated.
He assured Nigerians that the government would continue confronting insecurity until citizens can live and work without fear.
“While we continue to confront the challenges head-on, progress is being made. I want to assure you that this government will not relent until every Nigerian can live, work, travel, and dream in safety,” the President added.