Atiku Mocks Tinubu’s Campaign Council, Says It Smacks Of Fear

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, describing its expanded membership as “a crowded confession of Tinubu’s fear” and accusing President Bola Tinubu of prioritising political alliances over the welfare of Nigerians.

Atiku said the size of the revised campaign council reflected a government more concerned with gathering political figures than addressing the economic hardship and insecurity confronting citizens.

The former vice-president’s position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

“Only a man afraid of his record would think he could bury it under hundreds of names,” Atiku said, adding that the mobilisation of governors, ministers and political defectors would not erase the hardship experienced by Nigerians under the current administration.

He argued that families affected by hunger, violence and kidnapping needed answers and concrete solutions rather than another campaign list.

Atiku also accused Tinubu of expanding his political machinery while millions of Nigerians continued to struggle with the rising cost of living.

According to him, the administration had created room for an extensive network of political appointees and campaign officials but had failed to adequately address the economic pressures facing households.

“He feeds his political machine and tells hungry families to sacrifice,” Atiku said, adding that the size of the campaign council would not determine Nigerians’ judgment of the president’s performance.

Atiku faults use of Presidential Villa for campaign event

The former vice-president also condemned the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing the venue as an inappropriate setting for a partisan political event.

“The Presidential Villa belongs to the Nigerian people. It is not a campaign venue or the private property of any political party. Using it for an APC political event is a gross breach of public trust and a troubling abuse of public office,” he said.

Atiku questioned why the campaign council was inaugurated at night within the premises of the Presidential Villa, arguing that alternative venues were available in the Federal Capital Territory.

He maintained that a president seeking another mandate should be prepared to present his record publicly and defend his administration’s performance before Nigerians.

The former vice-president further argued that the administration’s promise of renewed hope had given way to hardship and disappointment for many citizens.

Poverty, insecurity dominate criticism

Atiku linked his criticism of the campaign council to concerns about poverty, insecurity and the declining purchasing power of Nigerians.

In the statement, he cited what he described as an increase of 17.9 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, attributing the worsening conditions to Tinubu’s leadership.

He also referred to the impact of inflation and transportation costs on workers, difficulties faced by parents paying school fees, and fears among families over kidnapping and other security threats.

Atiku argued that expanding the campaign council would not resolve those problems, insisting that voters would ultimately assess the president based on their lived experiences.

“When the first list drew criticism, Tinubu had a chance to show that he understood the country’s anger. Instead, he returned with an even longer list, reaching into other parties for more names,” he said.

He accused the president of using political alliances as a shield against public criticism, adding that the administration needed to demonstrate tangible improvements in living conditions.

Atiku said the ADC had assembled a focused campaign team to present its case to Nigerians, contrasting the party’s approach with the APC’s expanded campaign structure.

He maintained that no number of political endorsements or campaign officials could substitute for improvements in food affordability, workers’ purchasing power and public safety.

“The ADC has assembled a focused campaign team to take its case to Nigerians. Tinubu can keep adding names to his council. He cannot add a name that will make life affordable again for the families struggling under his government,” he said.

Atiku also argued that the ballot would not measure the size of either party’s campaign organisation but would provide an opportunity for voters to assess the administration’s record.

The statement concluded with a call for Nigerians to judge Tinubu based on their experiences of economic hardship, insecurity and access to basic necessities.

Atiku’s remarks form part of the political contest between the ADC and the ruling APC ahead of the next electoral cycle. The allegations and assessments in the statement represent Atiku’s position, while an independent assessment of the claims would require supporting economic data and a response from the presidency or the APC.