Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has scored the administration of President Bola Tinubu low, after spending two years in office, saying his government has failed the people.
In a statement assessing Tinubu’s two years in office on Wednesday, Atiku said the current administration is “one of the most incompetent, disconnected, and anti-people governments” in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Atiku said no previous administration has “inflicted this level of hardship” on the masses while disregarding transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership.
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‘’In just two years, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has proven to be one of the most incompetent, disconnected, and anti-people governments in Nigeria’s democratic history.
“No previous administration has inflicted this level of hardship on the masses while showing such disregard for transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership,’’ he said.
While assessing the administration further, he said, ‘’This government has not only deepened poverty across the country, but it has also set new records in wasteful public spending.
‘’At a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling to survive, government officials are living in excess and approving budgets that benefit the elite at the expense of the common man.
“It is sad that apart from being the poverty capital of the world, Nigeria has under this administration emerged the capital of malnourished children in Africa, having beaten Sudan, a nation that is at war.
“According to the Global Hunger Index 2024, our country is one of the most affected by hunger and malnutrition, occupying the 18th position,’’ he stressed.
The former vice president stated that, ‘’Policy after policy under this administration has targeted the poor while providing relief and advantage to the rich. ‘’From healthcare to education to identity management and basic public services, Nigerians are now faced with class-based systems where the wealthy enjoy VIP treatment, and the rest are left behind’.
‘’Just two weeks ago, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) hiked its fees by 75%, introducing VIP protocols for services that should be a basic right of citizenship.
“In education, public university fees have been raised far beyond the reach of poor families, with no adequate support mechanisms in place,’’ he stated.
Even more troubling, he aid, was the scale of borrowing under this government, adding that, ‘’When President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, Nigeria’s total public debt stood at approximately N49 trillion.
“In just two years, that figure has skyrocketed to N144 trillion — a 150% increase — with more foreign loans now being requested, which could push the debt to N183 trillion.’’
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He explained further that, ‘’While the federal government racks up debt, state governments have shown more discipline, reducing their debt levels from N5.86 trillion to N3.97 trillion.
‘’The implication is clear: the federal government, under Tinubu, is the primary driver of Nigeria’s current debt crisis.’’