NEWSIE EVENTS MEDIA :
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing what he described as widespread failures in economic management, insecurity, and governance.
In a New Year message released on Thursday, Atiku accused the Tinubu-led government of incompetence, disregard for the rule of law, and political intimidation. He described 2025 as one of the most punishing years in Nigeria’s recent history, blaming the hardship on economic mismanagement and a lack of empathy by the All Progressives Congress led federal government.
The former Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate said Nigerians endured what he termed economic suffocation, political recklessness, and policy bankruptcy over the past year. He alleged that the administration operated for several months without a functional budget, relying instead on propaganda and heavy borrowing to sustain government activities.
Atiku, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, pointed to the controversy surrounding a disputed tax law as evidence of what he called deepening decay within the government. According to him, a government that begins reforms with forgery cannot deliver prosperity.
He further accused the ruling party of deliberately weakening Nigeria’s democratic institutions, alleging efforts to intimidate opponents and consolidate power in a manner that could turn the country into a de facto one party state through state capture.
The former vice president also raised concerns over worsening insecurity in 2025, noting the spread of kidnappings, abductions, and violent crimes across the country. He said rising unemployment, labour unrest, and the collapse of small businesses had further intensified the suffering of citizens.
Despite these challenges, Atiku said Nigeria endured not because of the competence of the government but due to the resilience of its people. He added that the situation was worsened by what he described as the appointment of unqualified and undistinguished individuals to represent the country abroad.
He urged Nigerians to remain resolute in the face of the difficulties, describing his message as one of the most painful New Year statements he had ever issued, given the despair faced by millions as a result of what he called the callous and soulless policies of the Tinubu led APC government.
Atiku criticised appeals for citizens to make sacrifices, describing them as cruel and morally unjustified when leaders continue to live in comfort while the masses struggle. He said leadership that does not share in the pain of the people amounts to exploitation.
He also faulted what he termed selective enforcement of anti corruption laws, alleging that government institutions were being weaponised against political opponents.
According to him, the administration’s anti corruption campaign was selective, vindictive, and politically motivated, serving more to persecute opposition figures than to clean up the system.
Atiku stressed that while fighting corruption is necessary, justice is undermined when agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission act against opponents while government allies are shielded from scrutiny. He said institutions must operate without fear or favour.
The former vice president warned that a government capable of tampering with laws could not be trusted to conduct free and fair elections in 2027. He called on Nigerians to engage, mobilise, and organise ahead of the polls, urging them to prepare to vote and defend their votes.
He appealed to citizens to vote against hunger, insecurity, unemployment, dishonesty, corruption, abductions, lies, and propaganda, insisting that the country deserves better. He said Nigerians deserve dignity, adding that 2026 should be a year of preparation while 2027 should mark a turning point.
According to Atiku, it is too late to turn back, and Nigerians must rise, organise, and reclaim their country.
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