President Bola Tinubu has blamed opposition politicians for the hunger and poverty confronting Nigerians, prompting a sharp response from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who accused the President of evading responsibility for the country’s economic difficulties.
The exchange occurred on Saturday during the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign flag-off at Ranchers Bees Stadium, also known as Kaduna Township Stadium, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu, who defended his administration’s economic policies, maintained that his government was working to eliminate poverty and hunger despite criticisms from political opponents.
“I have heard the opposition talking about hunger and poverty. Who caused them? They did! They caused hunger and poverty. We are trying to eliminate them,” the President told supporters.
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as misleading statements from opposition politicians, particularly criticism of his decision to remove the petrol subsidy.
According to him, the country must move beyond the previous subsidy regime, which his administration has repeatedly associated with corruption, fraudulent claims and fuel smuggling.
“Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies, no more smuggling of fuel,” Tinubu said.
However, Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, rejected the President’s explanation, describing his remarks as an attempt to shift responsibility for the hardship experienced by Nigerians.
In a statement issued through the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice-President said the administration should account for its policies instead of blaming political opponents.
Atiku described Tinubu’s comments as “a delusional, shameless attempt to dodge responsibility for the misery his own government has inflicted on Nigerians.”
He argued that the ruling party could not distance itself from the country’s economic challenges after years in power.
“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,” Atiku said.
The former Vice-President also questioned the consequences of the administration’s economic reforms, including petrol subsidy removal and changes to the foreign exchange system.
He cited the depreciation of the naira, rising living costs and concerns about poverty as issues requiring answers from the Federal Government.
Atiku further raised questions about government expenditure, including spending associated with energy security and pipeline-related operations, while demanding greater accountability over public funds.
He also criticised the President’s handling of infrastructure development, arguing that the commissioning of an unfinished Abuja-Kaduna Expressway from the campaign venue would not make the road complete.
“A road cannot be completed with a speech or a ribbon-cutting ceremony,” Atiku said.
Tinubu, however, defended his administration’s reforms as necessary measures to address structural weaknesses in the economy and establish a foundation for sustainable growth.
The President also praised APC governors for their development projects and maintained that his administration remained committed to national development.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who attended the rally, defended Tinubu’s political relationship with northern Nigeria, citing his past support for northern presidential aspirants, including Atiku in 2007 and the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019.
The Kaduna rally marked the formal commencement of the APC’s presidential campaign for the 2027 election.
Atiku said the election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess the President’s performance.
“The people will judge your government by the lives they are living, not by the excuses you offer at campaign rallies,” Atiku said.
