The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his claim that opposition politicians created hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
Atiku described the President’s remarks as an attempt to evade responsibility for the economic hardship Nigerians are experiencing under his administration.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the former Vice President accused Tinubu of blaming political opponents for problems he should address as president.
Atiku argued that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had controlled the Federal Government for more than a decade, including the period before Tinubu assumed office.
“Mr President, blaming the opposition for hunger is either delusion or a staggering case of political amnesia. The APC governed Nigeria for eight years before you took office. You have added another three and a half years,” he said.
He maintained that Nigerians were aware of which party had been in power and should not be blamed for holding the government accountable for the country’s economic conditions.
“Nigerians know who has been in power, and hardship did not begin when the opposition started talking about it. Stop insulting their intelligence and answer for your record,” Atiku added.
Atiku questions Tinubu over economic hardship
The ADC candidate insisted that the difficulties confronting households were real and could not be dismissed by blaming opposition parties.
“The hardship your administration has brought upon Nigerians is real. You cannot deny it by blaming others,” he said.
Atiku also criticised Tinubu over the commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, alleging that the ceremony took place before the road was fully completed.
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He argued that the reported commissioning of the project from inside a stadium raised questions about the administration’s presentation of infrastructure projects to the public.
“Your decision to commission the unfinished Abuja to Kaduna Expressway from inside a stadium shows how far removed you are from the daily reality of Nigerians. A road cannot be completed with a speech or a ribbon cutting ceremony,” Atiku said.
