Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 90-day cost-of-living relief plan, describing it as an attempt to win voters’ support ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku argued that the programme’s timeline raises questions about its purpose, noting that the proposed 90-day period would extend beyond the presidential election, which he said was 86 days away.
In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president accused the Tinubu administration of offering Nigerians promises of economic relief after years of rising living costs.
He urged voters to assess the government based on its performance since taking office rather than rely on fresh assurances announced ahead of the election.
According to Atiku, the plan’s five priority areas — food affordability, tax harmonisation, the completion of key projects, the removal of investment bottlenecks and household support — address problems Nigerians have repeatedly urged the government to tackle.
He argued that households, workers and businesses continued to face pressure from high food prices, transportation costs and production expenses, adding that some businesses had been forced to close.
Atiku also faulted the government’s handling of petrol subsidy removal, saying measures to protect vulnerable households should have been introduced alongside the policy.
He maintained that Nigerians had borne the immediate consequences of higher transport and production costs while waiting for the promised economic benefits.
“A government cannot put a 90-day deadline on hunger, the cost-of-living crisis and insecurity and call it an economic policy,” he said.
Atiku questions Tinubu’s record in Kaduna
The ADC presidential candidate also criticised Tinubu over his expected visit to Kaduna State to launch his re-election campaign, contrasting the planned political engagement with the security challenges and humanitarian crises experienced by residents.
He cited the December 2023 military drone strike on civilians attending a Maulud gathering in Tudun Biri, which killed at least 85 people, according to figures referenced in his statement.
Atiku questioned why the president did not personally visit grieving families following the incident, noting that Vice President Kashim Shettima had visited survivors on Tinubu’s behalf.
He also referred to reported civilian deaths from a military airstrike in Giwa in September 2024, as well as kidnappings and other attacks affecting communities in Kajuru and Kachia.
The former vice president further highlighted the effects of severe weather in Kaduna, citing windstorms and flooding that reportedly displaced residents, damaged shelters and left people injured in parts of the state in 2025.
He called on Tinubu to explain what his administration had done for victims of civilian casualties and abductions, and what measures were being taken to protect vulnerable communities.
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Atiku also questioned the president’s previous visit to Kaduna, alleging that the Presidency’s account of a September 2025 trip highlighted a wedding and a courtesy call rather than engagements with families affected by insecurity.
He warned against using victims of violence as a backdrop for campaign activities.
Atiku challenges NNPC over petrol discount
Atiku also questioned the effectiveness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) petrol discount promotion, which began on October 1 and was presented by the government as part of its cost-of-living relief efforts.
He claimed that during visits to NNPC Retail stations, attendants told him no discount was available and that he purchased petrol at ₦1,405 per litre.
The former vice president challenged the state-owned oil company to publish figures showing how many motorists had benefited from the promotion, the stations where discounted fuel was sold and the volume of petrol supplied at reduced prices.
He also questioned the reach of a reported ₦66-per-litre discount, arguing that the offer’s availability through NNPC’s retail network limited its potential impact on motorists across the country.
Atiku urged the company to clarify its position on accessing the discount through an application, particularly in cases where customers visiting its stations were allegedly told the offer was unavailable.
He argued that the promotion could not provide lasting relief while households continued to face high transportation and food costs.
The former vice president concluded that the timing of Tinubu’s 90-day relief plan was significant, accusing the administration of adopting the cost-of-living issue as an electoral message without adequately addressing the hardship Nigerians had experienced.