Abuja, Nigeria — June 24, 2026 — Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over worsening insecurity and economic hardship, declaring that Nigeria cannot be reduced to an “eight-hour economy” where citizens feel unsafe after dark.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused the Federal Government of being disconnected from the realities facing ordinary Nigerians, amid rising inflation, unemployment and persistent security challenges.
“A nation cannot prosper when its people are told that safety ends at sunset,” Atiku said, rejecting suggestions that Nigerians should avoid travelling at night due to insecurity.
He argued that insecurity, including killings, kidnappings and banditry across parts of the country, remains a lived reality for citizens and should not be downplayed.
The former vice president also faulted what he described as attempts by the Presidency to blame the media for negative portrayals of the country’s security and economic situation.
According to him, Nigerians do not rely on media reports to understand the hardship they face daily, as many families are struggling with rising food prices and declining purchasing power.
“People are forced to make difficult choices between feeding, healthcare, education, transportation and housing,” he said.
Atiku maintained that governments lose public trust when they prioritise managing narratives over delivering practical solutions, insisting that citizens expect tangible improvements in their living conditions.
“The failures of this administration are rooted in the outcomes of its policies, not in the reporting of those outcomes,” he added.
He defended the role of the media in a democracy, noting that journalists have a duty to report facts and hold leaders accountable.
The opposition figure urged the Federal Government to focus on concrete measures to tackle insecurity and stabilise the economy, stressing that Nigerians need policies that deliver real impact on their daily lives.
