Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has delivered a forceful rebuke of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, sharply criticising government performance on the economy, security and broader governance issues as Nigeria transitions into 2026. In his New Year message to the nation, Atiku described 2025 as one of the most “punishing” years in Nigeria’s recent history, asserting that policy failures and selective enforcement of anti-corruption efforts have deepened the challenges facing ordinary citizens.
Abubakar, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the country endured “economic suffocation, political recklessness, and governance without empathy” under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He accused the Tinubu administration of incompetence, mismanagement and poor prioritisation of national welfare, citing widespread hunger, unemployment, business closures, rising insecurity and a deteriorating democratic environment that disproportionately harmed ordinary Nigerians.
While acknowledging the resilience of citizens who have persevered through hardship, the former vice president criticised what he called selective anti-corruption enforcement by government agencies. In his message, Atiku alleged that anti-graft bodies have been used selectively against political opponents rather than consistently to strengthen accountability across the board, a stance that has heightened national tensions over the impartiality of law enforcement.
Atiku’s strongly worded address also touched on governance issues beyond the economy and security, including what he described as the undermining of democratic norms and the erosion of democratic institutions. He accused the federal government of weakening multiparty democracy, suppressing dissent, and prioritising political interests over national unity and institutional integrity.
“In 2025, Nigerians were asked to make sacrifices while leaders lived extravagantly and remained insulated from the pain of the people,” Atiku said, highlighting what he called a growing disconnect between political elites and the broader population. He warned that government disregard for public sentiment and democratic checks and balances had weakened public trust in leadership and increased social frustration.
As part of his broader critique, Atiku urged Nigerians not to resign themselves to hardship but to organise, mobilise and prepare for the 2027 general elections as an opportunity for change. Framing 2026 as a year to “till the soil” ahead of a 2027 “harvest,” he called on citizens to vote out hunger, insecurity, unemployment, corruption, abductions, falsehoods, propaganda, and dishonesty — issues he said have become defining features of national life under the current government.
“Let us vote out hunger, insecurity, unemployment, dishonesty, corruption, abductions, lies and propaganda. Nigeria deserves better. Nigerians deserve dignity,” Atiku said in his message, emphasising that the ballot box offers an avenue for peaceful democratic change.
Atiku’s remarks come amid continued debates about Nigeria’s economic trajectory and security situation, with critics of the Tinubu administration arguing that chronic policy bottlenecks and perceived governance lapses have compounded public suffering. Supporters of the government have countered that structural reforms are yielding positive outcomes, pointing to recent macroeconomic indicators and efforts to stabilise the national currency.
Despite this divergence, the former vice president’s comments have reinvigorated discussion about leadership accountability, the role of government in protecting citizens’ welfare, and the state of democracy in Nigeria. His call to action for 2027 has resonated with opposition voices and segments of the electorate weary of economic hardship and security challenges.
As Nigeria prepares for the next electoral cycle, Atiku’s intervention is likely to shape political discourse, particularly within opposition circles seeking to unify and present an alternative vision ahead of the general elections. Whether his message will galvanise broader support or provoke further controversy remains to be seen, but it has already added a significant voice to the national conversation on governance and democratic renewal.
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