Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of using the size of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council to shield himself from public criticism over the economic hardship and insecurity in the country.
Mr Abubakar described the revised campaign council as “a crowded confession of Tinubu’s fear”, arguing that the long list of political appointees and party leaders could not erase the difficulties Nigerians had faced under the administration.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Abubakar said the president was more concerned about assembling politicians than addressing the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
“Only a man afraid of his record would think he could bury it under hundreds of names. Tinubu can gather every governor, minister and political defector in Nigeria. None of them can erase the hunger in people’s homes, bring back those killed by violence or free Nigerians still held captive,” he said.
The former vice-president also criticised the size of Tinubu’s political machinery, accusing the president of prioritising political appointments and endorsements over the welfare of citizens.
He said the administration had continued to demand sacrifices from Nigerians while expanding its political establishment.
“Tinubu has room for an army of ministers and a stadium full of campaign officials, but no room in his plans for Nigerians crushed by the cost of living. He feeds his political machine and tells hungry families to sacrifice,” Mr Abubakar said.
He added that the president’s political allies would not determine the outcome of the election, insisting that Nigerians would judge him by their experiences under his administration.
Mr Abubakar also faulted the decision to inaugurate the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing it as an abuse of public office.
“The Presidential Villa belongs to the Nigerian people. It is not a campaign venue or the private property of any political party. Using it for an APC political event is a gross breach of public trust and a troubling abuse of public office,” he said.
The ADC chieftain questioned why the inauguration was held at the Villa when other suitable venues were available in Abuja.
“Abuja has no shortage of halls and public spaces large enough to host a campaign gathering. Why, then, did Bola Tinubu choose to inaugurate his campaign council at night, behind the gates of the Presidential Villa?” he asked.
He said the decision raised questions about the president’s confidence in his record, adding that Nigerians would have to decide whether his administration deserved another mandate.
Mr Abubakar argued that the administration’s promise of renewed hope had given way to hardship and disappointment for millions of citizens.
“For the political class, there is always another seat. For Nigerians struggling to survive, there is always another sermon about sacrifice. Tinubu’s government grows more comfortable while the people it governs grow poorer,” he said.
He further accused the APC of responding to criticism of its initial campaign council with an expanded list that included politicians from other parties, rather than addressing concerns about the state of the country.
“When the first list drew criticism, Tinubu had a chance to show that he understood the country’s anger. Instead, he returned with an even longer list, reaching into other parties for more names. He is collecting politicians like shields against public judgment,” he said.
Mr Abubakar cited the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, which he said recorded an increase of 17.9 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, as evidence of the hardship facing the country.
He also linked the administration’s record to insecurity, arguing that the number of political figures backing the president would not change the experiences of families affected by violence and kidnapping.
“Tinubu can write all the names he likes on his campaign list; his record has given millions of Nigerians a reason to vote against him. They are the automatic volunteer wing of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council,” he said.
The former vice-president maintained that the ADC had assembled a focused campaign team to present its case to Nigerians, contrasting it with what he described as the APC’s excessive reliance on political heavyweights.
He said the size of the campaign council would not address the cost of food, declining purchasing power, school fees or the fear experienced by families worried about the safety of their loved ones.
Mr Abubakar urged Nigerians to assess the president based on their living conditions rather than the number of politicians supporting his re-election bid.
“On election day, he will still face the people who lived through his failures and their list is much longer,” he said.