Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has leveled a scathing accusation against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming it is deliberately “weaponizing poverty” to suppress Nigerians. The provocative statement was made during a public lecture in Abuja on May 31, 2025, marking the 60th birthday of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. The event, themed “Weaponizing Poverty in Nigeria,” served as a platform for opposition leaders to critique the current government’s economic policies and rally support for a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria grapples with severe economic challenges, including soaring inflation, a plummeting naira, and widespread poverty. He painted a stark contrast between Nigeria’s past and present, recalling his early years in Kano State, once a beacon of prosperity in northern Nigeria. “When I was growing up in the North, the most prosperous city or state was Kano State. As soon as I finished secondary school, my first location was Kano State. I never saw people sleeping outside. Then there were no bridges or flyovers,” Atiku recounted. He lamented that today, Kano’s streets are filled with people sleeping under bridges and on roadsides, driven by poverty and insecurity.
The former vice president alleged that the Tinubu administration is not only failing to address these issues but actively obstructing efforts to alleviate poverty. He cited an example of a state agency in Kano tasked with supporting the homeless and vulnerable, which was reportedly ordered to halt its operations after attempting to clear people from the streets. “They were called to a meeting and told to stop it,” Atiku claimed, suggesting a deliberate strategy to maintain poverty as a tool of control.
Atiku’s critique was echoed by other prominent figures at the event, including Amaechi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who both linked Nigeria’s rising insecurity to deepening poverty. Amaechi emphasized that “hunger does not know tribe or religion,” arguing that the government’s policies have exacerbated economic hardship, fueling crime and instability. He urged Nigerians to recognize their electoral power, stating, “The power resides with the people, not the politicians.” El-Rufai, meanwhile, described Nigeria as being in its “biggest trouble since 1914,” attributing the crisis to the repeated election of “incompetent” leaders who lack the capacity to govern effectively.
The lecture also featured insights from the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, a former Central Bank Governor, who shared a personal perspective on Nigeria’s poverty crisis. “As an economist, I saw the numbers, but I didn’t truly know poverty until I became Emir,” Sanusi said. He highlighted the dire conditions in rural communities, urging leaders to prioritize the well-being of citizens over infrastructure projects that primarily benefit the elite.
Atiku framed his remarks within the context of a broader opposition coalition, which he described as an “alliance” to counter the APC’s policies. “You may call me a conspirator, you may call me anything, and that is why we are in this alliance to make sure we don’t allow them to continue weaponizing poverty,” he declared, naming Amaechi as a key ally in this effort. The coalition, which includes figures like El-Rufai and potentially other opposition leaders like Peter Obi, aims to present a united front in the 2027 elections to challenge what Atiku calls an “incompetent, disconnected, and anti-people” government.
The accusations align with Atiku’s ongoing criticism of Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the abrupt removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, which he has previously described as “reckless” and “ill-advised.” These policies, implemented since Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, have led to a sharp rise in living costs, with petrol prices soaring from N87 per liter under past administrations to over N1,000 per liter, and the naira trading at over N1,600 to the dollar. Inflation has climbed to nearly 40%, and youth unemployment exceeds 42%, according to PDP estimates. Nigeria’s public debt has also ballooned from N49 trillion in 2023 to N144 trillion, a 150% increase, further straining the economy.
Atiku’s remarks resonate with data highlighting Nigeria’s dire economic situation. According to the World Bank, over 70 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty (less than $1.90 per day), making the country one of the world’s poverty capitals. The 2024 Global Hunger Index ranks Nigeria 18th, surpassing even war-torn Sudan in malnutrition rates. These statistics underscore the urgency of Atiku’s call for action, though his critics argue that his own tenure as vice president from 1999 to 2007 saw limited progress in addressing systemic poverty, and allegations of corruption have long shadowed his political career.
The event also highlighted the growing momentum of opposition politics in Nigeria. Atiku’s coalition is part of a broader effort to unify disparate opposition groups, including the PDP, Labour Party, and potentially the Social Democratic Party, following a string of electoral losses to the APC. The coalition’s formation comes amid rising public discontent with Tinubu’s administration, particularly over policies perceived as favoring the elite. For instance, Atiku criticized a 75% hike in National Identity Management fees and soaring university costs as measures that disproportionately burden the poor while benefiting the wealthy.
However, the coalition faces challenges, including internal divisions within the PDP and skepticism about its ability to translate rhetoric into actionable policies. Atiku’s own history of political flexibility—having oscillated between the PDP and APC—and past corruption allegations could undermine his credibility. Critics also point out that while Atiku has promised to lift 50 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2025, his 2019 manifesto lacked specific steps to achieve this goal, relying instead on broad promises of skill acquisition and infrastructure development.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, Atiku’s accusations and the opposition’s coalition efforts signal a heated political battle ahead. The Tinubu administration, defending its Renewed Hope Agenda, insists that its economic reforms are laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity, despite short-term hardships. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, a Tinubu ally, has urged Nigerians to be patient, arguing that “reforms take time to yield results.” However, with food scarcity, social unrest, and insecurity reaching critical levels, the opposition’s narrative of a government out of touch with ordinary Nigerians is gaining traction.
Atiku’s bold claim that the government is weaponizing poverty has sparked widespread debate, amplified by posts on X where users echoed his sentiments, with some calling the coalition a “rescue mission” for Nigeria. Whether this alliance can coalesce into a formidable force remains to be seen, but for now, Atiku and his allies are positioning themselves as champions of the poor in a nation desperate for change.
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