Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over what he described as worsening insecurity and deepening economic hardship in the country, saying many Nigerians now see ransom payments as part of normal daily survival.
In a statement released on Thursday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the government’s focus on debt figures and economic statistics shows a disconnect from the real struggles facing ordinary citizens.
He described it as “shocking and insensitive” that while many Nigerians struggle to afford basic meals, the government appears to celebrate rising debt levels as if it were a success.
According to him, travelling across many parts of the country has become dangerous due to rising cases of kidnapping and armed attacks on roads.
He said families now live in fear, often going to bed worried about possible abductions or receiving ransom demands for kidnapped relatives.
Atiku further stated that ransom payments have now become a common burden for many households, comparing it to routine expenses like school fees and rent.
He also blamed the worsening security situation for the decline in agricultural production, noting that many farmers can no longer access their farmlands due to fear of attacks by armed groups.
This, he said, has contributed to falling food production, rising food prices, hunger, and increasing hardship across the country.
While acknowledging that borrowing can be useful when properly managed, Atiku argued that Nigeria’s rising debt has not translated into better living conditions for citizens.
He accused the government of focusing more on public relations and propaganda instead of addressing urgent security and economic challenges.
Atiku called for immediate and serious action to tackle insecurity and economic decline, warning that the situation could worsen if left unchecked.