Atiku faults Tinubu over rising hunger, hardship

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration, citing escalating hunger and economic hardship across the country. Abubakar stated that a recent United Nations warning about millions of Nigerians facing acute hunger between June and August 2026 underscores the current administration's failures.

“

This is not just another alarming statistic. This is a human tragedy of terrifying proportions.

In a statement issued via his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar described the situation as having moved beyond mere economic hardship to a full-blown humanitarian crisis. He highlighted the struggles of millions of Nigerians grappling with soaring food prices, rampant inflation, and a declining purchasing power. He attributed these severe economic conditions to what he termed "poor economic policies," specifically pointing to the abrupt removal of fuel subsidies and the handling of foreign exchange reforms.

“

The abrupt and poorly sequenced removal of fuel subsidy without credible social buffers triggered the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory.

Abubakar argued that the "abrupt and poorly sequenced removal of fuel subsidy without credible social buffers" triggered the most severe cost-of-living crisis in recent memory. He further condemned the "chaotic mishandling of exchange rate policy," which he said sent the naira into a "punishing tailspin," eroding purchasing power, inflating import costs, and crippling businesses.

“

The chaotic mishandling of exchange rate policy sent the naira into a punishing tailspin, wiping out purchasing power, inflating import costs and crippling businesses.

Beyond economic policies, Abubakar also connected the food crisis to persistent insecurity in farming communities across several states, including Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, and Borno. He questioned the nation's ability to feed itself when farmers cannot safely access their land. He urged the government to declare a national food security emergency and implement urgent support for farmers, such as subsidized inputs, improved credit access, and protection for farming communities. Abubakar warned that continued worsening hunger could incite insecurity and social unrest, stating, "A hungry nation is an angry nation, and no government should toy with that reality."

“

How can a nation feed itself when farmers cannot safely access their farms?