2027: Hungry Nigerians Will Decide Tinubu’s Fate – Atiku Fires Back At APC

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 general elections will serve as a referendum on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stressing that Nigerians grappling with hunger and economic hardship will ultimately determine the country’s future at the ballot box.

The media adviser to Atiku, Paul Ibe, stated this on Monday night, in response to an attack by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC had accused Atiku of attempting to reposition the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for selfish and personal gain, claiming that the former vice president was primarily interested in regaining access to state resources.

But in a strongly worded rebuttal, Ibe dismissed the accusations as baseless and diversionary, asserting that Atiku’s political engagements are rooted in patriotism and the public interest.

“His Excellency’s efforts are driven by Nigerians’ yearnings for a better life, not because he wants to regain access to state resources. Absolutely not,” Ibe said.

“Atiku Abubakar has spent his personal wealth, time, and energy championing the cause of the Nigerian people. This is not a man desperate for power; this is a man desperate for national recovery.”

Ibe took aim at what he described as the Tinubu administration’s glaring lack of preparedness and competence, citing delays in key infrastructure projects and a rising cost of living as evidence of failure.

“It’s clear that these people were never prepared for governance. All they’re interested in is politics,” he said.

“They’ve gone to extreme lengths to ensure the demise of progress. Every action they’ve taken contradicts the very essence of democracy.”

He cited the example of a 700-kilometre road project, of which only 30 kilometres have reportedly been completed in two years, to illustrate what he called the symbolic failure of the government.

“They rolled out all the drums and celebrated completing a mere 4% of the project. Isn’t that absurd? Such irresponsibility!” he exclaimed.

“The money spent on that celebration could have been used to build several more kilometres of that road. This shows where their priorities lie – not with the people, but with optics.”

Ibe painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current socio-economic state, pointing to alarming rates of poverty and malnutrition.

He argued that Tinubu’s economic policies have failed to alleviate hardship, leaving millions of Nigerians struggling to survive.

“Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world under this administration. We now lead Africa in child malnutrition. That is not a badge of honour; that is a national shame,” he stated.

“People are hungry. For the first time, even those who could afford to buy a ram for Eid can now be counted on one hand. Someone told me people are pooling money together just to afford a ram and partake in the celebration.”

He added that the widening inequality and rising inflation are forcing many Nigerians to lose hope in the government.

“Every market woman, every farmer, every unemployed graduate, every parent who can’t pay school fees – they are all watching. They will speak with their votes come 2027.”

Ibe urged the ruling party to focus on the business of governance rather than launching coordinated attacks on Atiku.

“Instead of obsessing over what Atiku Abubakar is or isn’t doing, they should use the remainder of their term to improve the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

“The energy they waste on propaganda could be channelled into fixing roads, addressing insecurity, and stabilising the naira.”

Defending Atiku’s reputation, Ibe said the former vice president’s track record as a successful entrepreneur and public servant speaks for itself. He contrasted Atiku’s legacy with that of his critics.

“Where were these critics when His Excellency was already well-established long before democracy began in 1999?” he asked.

“Atiku has run multi-million-dollar businesses, employed people, and invested his own resources into his campaigns. He’s not looking to exploit state funds like they are.”

Ibe emphasised that Atiku’s long-term commitment to democratic ideals and institution-building has always been evident in his political engagements.

He stated that the 2027 election will not merely be about party affiliations or rhetoric, but about survival, competence, and vision.

“The next election will be between Tinubu and the rest of Nigeria,” he declared.

“Hungry Nigerians – the market women, the artisans, the students, the unemployed – they will be the ones to decide Tinubu’s fate in 2027.”

2027: Hungry Nigerians Will Decide Tinubu’s Fate – Atiku Fires Back At APC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper