The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has lamented the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country, saying ransom payments have now become a regular part of household expenses for many Nigerians.
Atiku made the remarks in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, while reacting to recent comments from the Presidency comparing Nigeria’s debt profile with those of other African countries.
The former vice president criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for what he described as celebrating debt statistics while citizens grapple with poverty, insecurity and rising living costs.
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“It is both astonishing and insulting that at a time when millions of Nigerians can barely afford one meal a day, when parents are withdrawing children from school because of crushing hardship, when businesses are collapsing under unbearable electricity tariffs and inflation, and when entire communities are being overrun by terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, the Presidency is celebrating debt figures as though indebtedness itself were an economic achievement,” Atiku said.
He painted a grim picture of daily life across the country, stating that road travel had become dangerous while families increasingly feared abductions and violent attacks.
“In many parts of Nigeria today, travelling by road has become a gamble with death. Families go to bed praying not to receive midnight calls announcing the abduction of loved ones. Villages are sacked almost routinely while those in power appear more concerned about image management than decisive action,” he stated.
According to Atiku, the insecurity crisis has significantly affected food production as many farmers can no longer safely access their farmlands due to attacks by terrorists and armed gangs.
“Across the country, farmers can no longer safely access their farmlands because vast territories have effectively fallen under the control of armed gangs and terrorists. Food production has declined sharply because rural communities now live under constant threat of attacks, abductions, and killings,” he added.
The Waziri Adamawa maintained that borrowing itself was not the problem if loans were channelled into productive sectors capable of improving infrastructure, security and citizens’ welfare.
“No nation becomes prosperous by borrowing to finance consumption, sustain wasteful government lifestyles, and paper over policy failures. Countries that borrow responsibly do so to expand productivity, create jobs, secure critical infrastructure, and improve the welfare of their citizens,” he said.
Atiku further accused the administration of relying on propaganda instead of confronting the country’s pressing challenges with sincerity and urgency.
“Nigerians do not care about statistical gymnastics from government spokespersons. They care about whether food is affordable, whether their children are safe, whether businesses can survive, whether farmers can return to their lands, and whether the future still holds any promise,” he stated.
He urged the Federal Government to address the worsening economic and security conditions before the country slips deeper into instability and public frustration.
