Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over worsening insecurity and economic hardship, saying ransom payments have become a normal part of life for many Nigerian families.
Atiku made the remarks in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The former presidential candidate accused the Federal Government of being disconnected from the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians, particularly amid growing hunger, inflation and insecurity across the country.
According to him, recent comparisons by the presidency of Nigeria’s debt profile with those of other African countries failed to reflect the hardship citizens currently face.
“It is both astonishing and insulting that at a time when millions of Nigerians can barely afford one meal a day, the presidency is celebrating debt figures as though indebtedness were an achievement,” Atiku said.
He lamented the deteriorating security situation nationwide, noting that travelling by road had become increasingly dangerous due to frequent kidnappings and attacks.
“In many parts of Nigeria today, travelling by road has become a gamble with death. Families go to bed praying not to receive midnight calls announcing the abduction of loved ones,” he stated.
Atiku further said ransom payments had become a recurring financial burden for many households.
“Ransom payments have become as routine as school fees and house rent in many homes,” he added.
The former Vice President also linked the country’s worsening food crisis to insecurity, arguing that attacks by armed groups had forced many farmers away from their farmlands.
“As a result, food production has declined sharply, leading to hunger, rising prices and widespread hardship,” he said.
While acknowledging that borrowing could support economic development if properly managed, Atiku maintained that Nigeria’s rising debt profile had not translated into improved living conditions for citizens.
He accused the government of focusing on propaganda instead of addressing pressing economic and security challenges, and called for urgent measures to prevent further deterioration.
