Three prominent opposition figures have publicly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over escalating insecurity, poverty, and hunger in Nigeria, vowing to thwart his re-election bid in 2027. The statements were made during a public lecture that celebrated the 60th birthday of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the Tinubu administration of deliberately using poverty as a political tool. He described the current state of affairs in Nigeria as a “state-sanctioned weaponisation of poverty,” highlighting his observations during a recent visit to Kano, where he witnessed significant homelessness and suffering. “When I was growing up, Kano was prosperous. Now, people sleep under bridges, driven by poverty and insecurity,” he lamented.
Amaechi echoed these sentiments, stressing the interconnectedness of poverty and insecurity. He called on the opposition to unite in their efforts to challenge the current administration. “We are all hungry, all of us are,” he stated, warning that the opposition must prioritize the nation’s interests over personal ambitions to effect meaningful change.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai described the nation’s current condition as the worst since Nigeria’s amalgamation in 1914. He criticized the political leadership, labeling them as “urban bandits” who have seized power without competence or vision. El-Rufai urged Nigerians to elect leaders with the necessary skills and commitment to address the country’s pressing issues.
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka attended the event, commending Amaechi’s bravery during the APC presidential primaries in 2022, where he refused to step down for Tinubu. He highlighted Amaechi’s determination as a model of democratic spirit, contrasting it with the compliance of other candidates during the primaries.
The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, also shared insights from his experience as a traditional leader, stating that many elites in Nigeria have a limited understanding of poverty. He called for empathy among leaders and emphasized the need to focus on the welfare of citizens, especially in rural areas that lack basic amenities.
In response to the opposition’s claims, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the criticisms as politically motivated and lacking credibility. A spokesperson for the APC stated that the opposition is driven by personal grievances rather than a genuine assessment of the administration’s performance. The spokesperson defended President Tinubu as a reformer committed to improving the nation’s prospects, acknowledging that while some may feel offended by reforms, the ultimate goal is to benefit the broader population.
