Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hit back at President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of using attacks on his investment in education to divert public attention from the economic challenges facing Nigerians. Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, defended his investment in education, stating that it began before he joined public service. His Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, responded to Tinubu's recent criticism of his educational investments.
Tinubu had questioned how Atiku established the American University of Nigeria while serving as vice president, alleging that public funds were used to build the institution during Atiku's tenure. However, Atiku insisted that his investment in education predates his time in public service, citing the establishment of ABTI Academy in 1993, which has since grown into the American University of Nigeria.
Atiku challenged Tinubu to account for his administration's record, accusing the president of worsening poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and the rising cost of living in Nigeria. He stated that Tinubu's leadership has become synonymous with hardship, pain, and despair, pushing more than 79 million Nigerians into extreme poverty since his inauguration in 2023.
Atiku also criticized Tinubu's approach to addressing the country's economic challenges, stating that the president's proposal to move forward without returning to subsidy is unclear. He questioned whether Tinubu's vision for the country is to plunge Nigerians into deeper poverty, mounting debt, insecurity, and mass unemployment.
The former vice president accused Tinubu of creating poverty and then insulting the people suffering from it, citing a statement by Tinubu's campaign Director-General that hungry Nigerians are simply lazy. Atiku argued that the government does not even believe Nigerians are hungry and therefore cannot solve the problem.
Atiku emphasized that Nigerians have tested Tinubu's leadership and the verdict is clear: he is a disaster. He called for a real conversation about the 2027 election, focusing on how to repair the damage Tinubu's government has done. Atiku's statement concluded that Tinubu's history is clumsy and foggy, unlike his own, which is traceable.
The public exchange between Atiku and Tinubu highlights the ongoing debate about the state of Nigeria's economy and the best approach to addressing its challenges. As the country prepares for future elections, the two leaders continue to present their visions and criticize each other's records, leaving Nigerians to decide on the best course for their country.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar accuses President Tinubu of diverting attention from Nigeria's economic challenges by attacking his educational investments.
- Tinubu had questioned the establishment of the American University of Nigeria, alleging that public funds were used to build the institution during Atiku's tenure as vice president.
- Atiku challenges Tinubu to account for his administration's record, citing worsening poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
