Atiku Abubakar criticizes Tinubu government over insecurity and economic hardship

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration regarding its handling of insecurity and economic difficulties, accusing the Presidency of attempting to shift blame to the media and ordinary Nigerians. Atiku specifically referenced recent remarks from the Presidency suggesting that kidnapping incidents occur because citizens ignore police warnings against night travel. He argued that this implies Nigerians are only safe for a limited part of the day, questioning if the country has become an "eight-hour economy." Atiku emphasized that the government's primary duty is to protect lives and property, not to impose curfews based on fear. He cited various incidents of insecurity across states like Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger, stating that these are daily realities, not media exaggerations. He warned that normalizing insecurity by advising against travel would have severe economic consequences, as national prosperity relies on free movement and trade. Beyond security, Atiku accused the administration of being disconnected from economic realities, highlighting rising food prices, inflation, unemployment, and declining purchasing power. He also faulted the Presidency's attempt to blame the media for reporting these challenges, comparing it to "blaming a thermometer for a fever." Atiku concluded that Nigeria needs solutions and results, not explanations or lectures on perception.