No sign President Tinubu can curb hunger and poverty after two years, says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced concerns that despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two years in office, there is little evidence that the administration is making headway in tackling Nigeria’s hunger and economic hardship.

The opposition leader described the current food insecurity as unacceptable, particularly for the nation’s poorest and most vulnerable communities. He noted that historically, extreme deprivation and harsh living conditions often cause unrest, citing global examples like the French Revolution and the Arab Spring.

In a statement delivered by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, on Monday, Atiku emphasized that a government’s foremost duty is to safeguard the wellbeing and security of its people. Yet, under President Tinubu’s leadership and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), many Nigerians reportedly remain trapped in increasing misery and destitution.

This reality, according to Atiku, has fueled a rise in criminal activities, ranging from sophisticated fraud and terrorism to kidnapping, cult violence, drug abuse, and ritual killings.

He urged Nigerians and policymakers to view the nation’s current struggles as a moment for serious reflection. Recalling the tragic self-immolation in Tunisia that ignited the Arab Spring protests, he warned that similar frustrations could lead to violent upheavals if the root causes are ignored.

Atiku further pointed to the ENDSARS protests as partly driven by public outrage over hunger and government apathy. He challenged the Tinubu administration’s claims of reform, insisting that food insecurity remains a daily crisis nationwide.
Atiku argued that the government’s policies lack compassion and have left many to suffer in silence.