Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of using attacks on his investment in education to distract Nigerians from the economic difficulties and governance challenges facing the country.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, also defended the establishment of his educational institution, the American University of Nigeria (AUN), insisting that his investment in the sector began long before he became Vice President.
He made the remarks in a statement issued on Saturday, November 7, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, in response to Tinubu’s latest criticism of his educational investments.
Atiku explained that he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, maintaining that his business interests and investments predated his entry into public service.
He also contrasted his business history with what he described as unanswered questions surrounding Tinubu’s past, insisting that attempts to question his educational investments would not erase his record.
“That moment captures the difference between us. My history is traceable. I can show Nigerians how I built my name, achieved success in business and entered public leadership. Your own history remains clumsy and foggy,” he said.
The former Vice President accused the Tinubu administration of worsening the country’s economic situation, arguing that rising living costs, insecurity, unemployment and mounting debt had left millions of Nigerians struggling to survive.
He claimed that more than 79 million Nigerians had been pushed into extreme poverty under the current administration and questioned the government’s ability to address hunger and economic hardship.
Atiku also criticised comments attributed to the Director-General of Tinubu’s campaign, who reportedly described hungry Nigerians as lazy.
According to him, such remarks demonstrated the administration’s alleged insensitivity to the suffering of citizens.
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“You created poverty, then insult the people suffering from it. You attack my Affordable Life campaign, but the people you are really attacking are the millions of Nigerians desperate for relief from your failed leadership,” Atiku said.
The ADC presidential candidate further defended his proposed Affordable Life campaign, describing it as an alternative economic programme aimed at reducing the burden of living costs on Nigerians.
On petrol subsidy, Atiku rejected Tinubu’s position that Nigeria could not return to subsidised fuel prices, arguing that a transparent, production-based subsidy tied to local refining could help reduce energy costs.
He said his proposed administration would ensure that Nigerians benefited directly from lower petrol and diesel prices while addressing the challenges associated with the current subsidy framework.
Atiku also promised increased investment in social welfare programmes and an end to what he described as an opaque system through which funds intended for economically vulnerable Nigerians were diverted.
The former Vice President accused the ruling administration of attempting to undermine his political campaign and prevent him from appearing on the ballot in the 2027 presidential election.
He, however, expressed confidence that he would contest the election and defeat Tinubu, insisting that Nigerians were increasingly seeking an alternative to the current administration.
“You want me off the ballot at all costs, but the will of the Nigerian people will prevail. I will be on that ballot, and I will beat you decisively,” he declared.
Atiku maintained that the President had little to campaign on after three and a half years in office, describing the administration’s record as its biggest political liability.
He concluded that his Affordable Life campaign would continue despite what he characterised as attacks and threats, promising to lead Nigeria towards economic growth, prosperity and development if elected in 2027.