2027 Election Will Be Referendum on Tinubu’s Performance, Atiku Says

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said the 2027 presidential election will serve as a referendum on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing the Federal Government of worsening economic hardship and failing to address insecurity.

Atiku, who spoke on Saturday, argued that Nigerians would use the election to assess the performance of the Tinubu administration, particularly its handling of the economy, rising poverty, security challenges and public spending.

He also accused the President of attempting to blame the opposition for the hardship confronting Nigerians, insisting that the administration must accept responsibility for its policies and their consequences.

The former vice president made his position known in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

According to Atiku, the government cannot preside over policies that have increased the cost of living and subsequently blame opposition parties for drawing attention to the suffering of citizens.

He challenged the administration to explain the impact of its economic decisions, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, the depreciation of the naira and the rising number of Nigerians struggling with poverty.

“Which administration removed the petrol subsidy and watched the naira fall from about N471 to N1,329 to the dollar?” Atiku asked.

He also cited a World Bank estimate that 63 per cent of Nigerians would be living below the national poverty line in 2026, arguing that the projected figure raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the administration’s economic policies.

Atiku further criticised the government’s budget management, alleging that the extension of the 2024 budget into 2025, alongside the operation of a separate 2025 budget, required greater public scrutiny.

The ADC presidential candidate also raised questions about government expenditure in the energy sector and spending associated with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

He specifically referred to N7.13 trillion reportedly recorded under the category of “energy security” in 2024 and questioned N11.2 trillion in NNPC pipeline-related spending.

“Nigerians deserve to know who received these sums and what was delivered,” he said, demanding greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

The former vice president also called for explanations regarding what he described as a $12.4 billion gap in Nigeria’s external accounts for the first half of 2026, as well as $22.5 million in “other charges” associated with an Abu Dhabi financing facility.

He maintained that the government owed Nigerians clear explanations about these financial issues, arguing that public confidence depended on transparency in the use of national resources.

Beyond the economy and public expenditure, Atiku criticised the administration’s handling of insecurity, citing continued killings, kidnappings and the displacement of residents in affected communities.

He argued that the government should concentrate on addressing the concerns of citizens rather than accusing political opponents of exploiting the country’s difficulties for partisan purposes.

“Which administration is responsible for the killings, kidnappings and displacement that continue to terrorise communities? These are the questions Nigerians are asking while your government blames the opposition,” he said.

Atiku added that the administration could not govern for three years, preside over worsening living conditions and then shift responsibility to its critics.

“You cannot govern for three years, make life harder, and then blame others for describing the hardship. You asked who created the hunger. Nigerians are asking what you have done to end it,” he stated.

He maintained that the experiences of ordinary Nigerians would ultimately determine the outcome of the next presidential election, rather than the explanations offered by political leaders during campaign rallies.

“The people will judge your government by the lives they are living, not by the excuses you offer at campaign rallies,” he said.

Atiku’s comments come as political parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with economic management, insecurity, unemployment and the cost of living expected to feature prominently in the political debate.

The ADC candidate said the election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to express their assessment of the President’s record since assuming office in May 2023.

“The 2027 presidential election will be a referendum on your record. Nigerians have felt the cost of your leadership in their homes, markets and communities,” Atiku said.

He further claimed that Nigerians had already rejected Tinubu’s administration, although the President’s actual electoral standing will ultimately be determined by voters at the polls.

The remarks underscore the ADC’s emerging strategy of making the performance of the Tinubu administration a central issue in its campaign, with particular emphasis on economic hardship, accountability and public security.

The presidency’s response to Atiku’s latest allegations was not included in the statement.