APC has blamed Atiku, El-Rufai, and Amaechi for worsening Nigeria’s poverty.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, accusing them of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s long-standing poverty crisis.
In a statement released on Monday by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, made available to NaijaOnPoint, the party defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, insisting that the current administration is focused on transforming Nigeria’s economy through tough but necessary reforms.
APC Defends Tinubu’s Economic Strategy
According to the statement, President Tinubu’s economic blueprint, particularly the decision to liberalize fuel pricing and float the naira, is a strategic shift away from Nigeria’s consumption-based economy toward a production-driven future.
Morka said:
“In 24 years, the trio of Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai—either individually or collectively—held key positions at both state and national levels. Yet, they failed to address the poverty they now hypocritically criticize. None of them tackled the deep-rooted structural issues or economic distortions that continue to affect millions of Nigerians.”
‘Serial Failures Now Hungry for Power’ – APC Slams Amaechi
The APC singled out Rotimi Amaechi, labelling his 24-year run in public office as “freeloading” with zero impact on poverty reduction in Rivers State or Nigeria as a whole.
“When Amaechi says he is hungry, he means he’s desperate to return to feeding off state resources. He spent nearly a quarter of a century in government without any real effort to lift people out of poverty,” the statement noted.
The party accused the three former leaders of “rent-seeking,” corrupt deals, privatizing public assets for peanuts, and fostering state-sponsored violence.
Why Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Are Different
APC emphasized that President Tinubu’s administration has shown more political will in just two years than previous governments, especially during the 16 years of PDP rule, which, it says, worsened the country’s economic conditions.
“Under past administrations, particularly the PDP, the Naira was artificially overvalued—killing local production, boosting import dependency, and increasing poverty,” Morka said.
The party also alleged that Atiku and Peter Obi, major critics of Tinubu’s policies, profited immensely from Nigeria’s import-dependent economic system.
“Atiku, a former Customs officer, and Obi, a known importer, benefited from the same system they now pretend to oppose. Their attacks on Tinubu’s reforms are self-serving, not people-focused.”
Tinubu Building Long-Term Solutions to Poverty, APC Insists
Felix Morka concluded by saying that President Tinubu’s administration is laying the foundation for sustainable growth, investment, and job creation by tackling long-ignored structural issues.
“In just two years, Tinubu has done more to fight the root causes of poverty than any modern Nigerian President. His bold reforms will restore investor confidence, promote hard work, and deliver prosperity for all Nigerians.”