Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of incompetence, economic mismanagement, and undermining democratic institutions.
In a New Year message released on Thursday, Atiku described 2025 as one of the most difficult years in Nigeria’s recent history, blaming widespread hardship on what he characterised as poor governance and a lack of empathy under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
According to Atiku, Nigerians endured “economic suffocation and policy bankruptcy” over the past year, alleging that the Tinubu administration operated for several months without a functional budget while relying on heavy borrowing and what he termed propaganda-driven governance.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), pointed to the controversy surrounding a disputed tax law as evidence of deeper governance failures.
“A government that begins reform with forgery cannot end with prosperity,” Atiku said.
He further accused the ruling party of eroding democratic institutions, alleging attempts to intimidate opposition figures and steer the country toward a de facto one-party system through state capture.
Atiku also raised concerns over security, saying incidents of kidnapping, abductions, and violent crimes worsened across the country in 2025. He added that rising unemployment, labour unrest, and the collapse of small businesses intensified economic pressure on citizens.
Despite these challenges, he said Nigeria endured largely due to the resilience of its people rather than effective governance.
“The country survived not because of government competence, but because of the strength and endurance of Nigerians,” he stated, while also criticising what he described as the appointment of unqualified individuals to diplomatic positions.
Describing his address as one of the most painful New Year messages he has written, Atiku urged Nigerians to remain resolute in the face of hardship. He criticised calls for citizens to make sacrifices while political leaders continue to live comfortably, arguing that such demands lack moral credibility.
“Leadership without shared pain is not leadership; it is exploitation,” he said.
Atiku also faulted the government’s anti-corruption efforts, alleging selective enforcement and the use of state institutions to target political opponents. He claimed agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been weaponised, undermining public trust in the fight against corruption.
He warned that a government capable of manipulating laws could not be trusted to conduct credible elections, calling on Nigerians to prepare for the 2027 polls.
Atiku urged citizens to mobilise, participate actively in the democratic process, and safeguard their votes.
“Nigeria deserves better. Nigerians deserve dignity,” he said, adding that while 2026 should be a year of preparation, 2027 must be the year of decisive change.