Atiku Abubakar

By Anwar Usman

Former Vice President of Nigeria and the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar has promised to support the education of Yusuf Aliyu, a teenage artisanal miner in Niger State whose video went viral following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the state.

Atiku made the promise in a statement on X on Sunday after watching the teenager speak at a mining site, saying Aliyu’s intelligence and confidence should be nurtured in a classroom rather than at a mining site.

“I have watched Yusuf Aliyu’s video repeatedly, and each time, my heart breaks. A child with such intelligence, clarity and confidence should be in a classroom building his future—not struggling for survival in a community surrounded by gold but buried in poverty.

“I cannot look at him and see an ‘illegal miner.’ I see a Nigerian child failed by the country that should have protected him. I see brilliance trapped by poverty and enormous promise abandoned by leadership,” the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate said.

Aliyu, interviewed by News Central Television in a video that has circulated online, alleged that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had been shooting at miners at a gold mining site in Niger State.

Atiku said the teenager’s experience highlighted serious concerns about poverty in communities with mineral resources, as well as the management of Nigeria’s mining sector.

“But this video raises a question that should trouble the conscience of every Nigerian: how can a community sitting upon gold remain so poor that it cannot educate its children? How can its wealth leave the soil while hunger and deprivation remain in its homes?”

“This is an indictment of the Tinubu administration. The Federal Government controls Nigeria’s mineral resources, yet the communities producing that wealth remain without schools, opportunities or protection.”

The former vice president also called for Aliyu’s protection, warning that his public comments should not expose him or his family to intimidation or retaliation.

Atiku further revealed that, Aliyu’s circumstance is as a result of what he described as failures by the government to provide opportunities for children living in mineral-producing communities.

“This boy is evidence against the Tinubu government. His intelligence exposes the opportunities it has failed to provide. His poverty exposes the injustice of Nigeria’s mining economy. His presence at that site exposes an administration that has left brilliant children without a ladder out of deprivation.”

He also demanded explanations from the Federal Government over the status of PAGMI in Niger State and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody.

“The government must explain what became of PAGMI in Niger State and how 37 Nigerians died in the custody of a federal agency. Calling them ‘illegal miners’ cannot erase their humanity or excuse their deaths.”

Atiku said he would continue to advocate for children such as Aliyu, stressing the need to protect their lives, education and future.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of worsening poverty and economic hardship in Nigeria.

Atiku said he would continue to challenge the policies of the Tinubu administration, arguing that they had reduced Nigerians’ purchasing power.

The former vice-president made the remarks in a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, amid an ongoing political dispute over criticism of the President.

Atiku said: “A President who can inflict this much pain on Nigerians should be able to survive hearing his own name.

“If Tinubu feels disrespected by being called his own name, he should imagine how Nigerians feel after being stripped of their purchasing power, crushed by inflation and instructed to endure hardship while those in power live extravagantly at public expense.

“Respect for the presidency cannot be demanded through intimidation. It must be earned through competent leadership, compassion and results.

“And he certainly does not have to wait for the campaign trail before demanding relief for millions of Nigerians whom Tinubu’s policies have pushed into poverty.

“Opposition is not seasonal. Accountability does not observe an electoral timetable.

“If Tinubu’s government can impose hardship every day, Atiku has the right to challenge it every day.

“Only people insulated from hardship by public funds could describe the daily misery of millions as “transient discomfort.”

“For the hungry child, this is not discomfort. For the bankrupt trader, this is not reform. For the unemployed graduate, this is not a foundation. It is failure.

“Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy without a coherent plan to protect Nigerians from the consequences.”

The former vice-president’s comments come amid continuing political exchanges between the Tinubu administration and opposition figures over the impact of the government’s economic reforms.

Atiku is expected to contest the 2027 presidential election on the ADC platform, while the Tinubu administration has maintained that its economic reforms are intended to address structural problems and place the economy on a stronger footing.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Kogi West senator and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dino Melaye, has cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against inviting the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for questioning over alleged financial crimes.

Melaye issued the warning on Thursday at the ADC All Support Groups town hall meeting in Abuja, where he opposed renewed calls for investigations into allegations against the former vice-president.

The meeting, themed “Together we can Build the Nigeria We Desire”, focused on grassroots mobilisation, polling-unit coordination, vote protection and greater participation of youths, women and support groups ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Melaye argued that Atiku had undergone several investigations by government institutions over the years without any conviction.

“Atiku was part of the government that created the EFCC. You cannot use the EFCC to torment the creator of the EFCC,” he said.

His remarks followed a petition by former House of Representatives member, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, who urged the EFCC to reopen investigations into allegations involving Atiku.

Agbonayinma, through his lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo of Sagitarian Law Firm, reportedly gave the commission 14 days to act on the petition. The request referred to an EFCC investigation and report concerning Atiku from 2005 and 2006, when he served as vice-president.

The petition also cited a 2010 report by the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which allegedly contained claims of money laundering and other financial offences involving the former vice-president.

Melaye maintained that the allegations had already received extensive attention from the government during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“I, as Dino Melaye, I am aware that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have been investigated by Olusegun Obasanjo and the federal government time and time and time and time again,” he said.

“In fact, federal government versus Atiku Abubakar, 13 cases. And Atiku Abubakar won all the 13 cases.”

‘Invite Atiku And See Trouble’

Melaye further warned that any attempt to invite or arrest Atiku over what he described as politically motivated petitions would face resistance from the ADC and its supporters.

“My note of warning is this. And this note of warning is straight to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That the day EFCC invites Atiku Abubakar before election, then Tinubu will know that government is not owned by those in government,” he said.

“Government is owned by the people. Any day, due to these frivolous petitions, you invite, arrest or interview Atiku Abubakar, and we are not saying it with fear or favour; we mean it. Invite Atiku and see trouble.”

Drawing from the 2011 uprising in Tunisia, Melaye said Nigerians could also challenge the government if they became convinced that state institutions were being deployed against opposition politicians.

“We will tell you that what happened in Tunisia can happen in Nigeria. We will prove to you that those in government are less than one percent of the population of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

“We will prove to you that the people own government. Government is not owned by those in government.”

‘They Have Investigated Atiku Everywhere’

The former senator also dismissed the renewed allegations against Atiku, insisting that authorities had subjected him to investigations in several places.

“They have investigated Atiku everywhere. The only thing they are yet to find out about Atiku is where his placenta was buried. They have done everything,” he said.

The development comes shortly after Atiku rejected calls for the EFCC to reopen the allegations against him. He said the issues had previously been considered by the EFCC, an administrative panel, the National Assembly and the courts.

Atiku also stated that no court had convicted him over the allegations and challenged anyone with credible evidence against him to submit it for legal examination.

The former vice-president accused supporters of the administration of President Bola Tinubu of reviving old allegations in an attempt to divert public attention from Nigeria’s economic and security problems.

The EFCC has not publicly disclosed whether it will act on Agbonayinma’s petition.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has defended the establishment of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa State, after an X user questioned his efforts to address the Almajiri crisis in northern Nigeria.

Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said the university was established as part of his efforts to promote education and development in the northern region.

The exchange followed a post by Atiku in which he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the economic hardship facing Nigerian youths.

An X user, @Oluwabunmi63697, responded to the post with a photograph of Almajiri children carrying plates and asked Atiku about his record on the issue.

“Have you ever addressed this, sir? You were VP for 8 years, these innocent children are in your region and you couldn’t do anything to stop this calamity,” the user wrote.

In his response, Atiku acknowledged the concern and said the condition of children who beg on the streets should worry Nigerians.

“The sight of children begging on our streets should trouble every Nigerian,” he said.

The former vice-president explained that his decision to establish AUN in Yola was driven by his desire to expand access to quality education and create opportunities for people in the region.

“I established the American University of Nigeria as a practical investment in education and the development of the North,” Atiku wrote.

“If profit had been my primary motivation, I could easily have located the university in Abuja or Lagos, where the commercial advantages would have been greater.

“I chose Yola because I wanted to invest in my people, create opportunities, and bring world-class education closer to a region that had long needed greater access and development.”

Atiku also disclosed that AUN was no longer under his personal ownership. He said he had transferred the institution to its host community.

He said he had “signed a deed of gift transferring the ownership to the university host community”.

AUN’S SUPPORT FOR ALMAJIRI CHILDREN

Atiku also cited some programmes associated with AUN as part of his response to the concerns about Almajiri children.

According to him, the university runs a “feed and read programme” for vulnerable Almajiri children. The initiative provides them with daily meals while helping them acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills.

He further said AUN had used educational radio programmes to reach displaced children affected by conflict in the North-East.

“ AUN has helped more than 20,000 internally displaced children learn to read through educational radio programmes,” he said.

Atiku also recalled the support the university provided to young women who escaped from Boko Haram captivity after the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014.

He said the institution offered scholarships to some of the girls to enable them to continue their education and rebuild their lives.

The former vice-president maintained that children should be in schools rather than on the streets.

“Whether in government or outside it, I have always sought to turn that conviction into practical action,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to reopen Nigeria’s land borders with neighbouring countries if elected president in 2027.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the promise in a video shared online by ADC chieftain Dele Momodu on Friday.

He argued that restrictions at the country’s land borders had harmed cross-border commerce and contributed to job losses, particularly among young Nigerians.

Atiku pointed out that several northern states share borders with neighbouring countries, where many Nigerians depend on cross-border trade for their livelihoods.

“The Northern states is bordering Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin Republic.

“And you close all those borders. All our young men who are doing trading between these countries, they carry goods across, they do this and that, all what we call transborder trade is a legitimate business,” Atiku said.

He said the border restrictions had pushed some young entrepreneurs out of business after their investments collapsed.

“All the upcoming young men and women who used to have a capital of 10 million, 20 million, and they were employing two, three other people, and then all of them went bankrupt and unemployed. How can there be security?” he asked.

“So I said I am going to reopen the borders and I will,” he added.

Atiku Plans Southern Port Expansion

The former vice-president also disclosed plans to improve port infrastructure in the southern part of the country if he wins the presidency.

He said he had previously held discussions with shipping companies and other stakeholders in Europe about expanding ports in the South and South-East.

“During the last campaign, I went across to Europe to discuss with shippers and ship development companies how we can together develop South and South-Eastern ports so that there is balance as far as importation of goods and transportation of goods are concerned,” he said.

According to Atiku, stronger port facilities in the southern region would make it easier and cheaper to move imported goods to northern parts of the country.

He used the transportation of containers from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa State, as an example, noting that he has a factory in the city.

“So when, if I drop my container in Calabar or in Uyo or in Port Harcourt, it will just take me 24 hours to take the container to Yola.

“But right now, it takes me not less than two months to take my container from Lagos because you have to cross over from South-West, you go to North-East, and then there is even no road,” Atiku said.

He said the proposal reflected concerns over the movement of goods and the need for balanced development of the country’s ports.

Background To Border Closures

Nigeria’s land borders were closed in August 2019 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Federal Government at the time said the measure was aimed at tackling large-scale smuggling of rice, poultry products, petroleum products and other commodities. The government also cited concerns over the movement of weapons and drugs and sought to promote domestic agricultural production.

In December 2020, Buhari directed the reopening of four border posts: Seme in Lagos State, Illela in Sokoto State, Maigatari in Jigawa State and Mfun in Cross River State.

The administration of President Bola Tinubu later reopened the Tsamiya border with the Benin Republic in Kebbi State and the Kamba corridor linking Nigeria with Niger Republic in February 2026.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal Government to account for more than N600 billion reportedly disbursed under its cash transfer programme for vulnerable Nigerians.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), raised the concerns in a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, on Thursday.

He also questioned the difference between the number of households the government currently says have benefited from the programme and an earlier figure announced by the Presidency.

On July 16, President Bola Tinubu said the expanded cash transfer programme had reached 15 million vulnerable households and lifted an estimated 7.5 million Nigerians out of poverty.

However, Bernard Doro, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, said on Wednesday that more than N600 billion had been disbursed to slightly over 10 million households since Tinubu became president.

Doro made the disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he said the beneficiaries could amount to about 40 million people based on an average household size of four.

“We have done over N600 billion in cash transfers to be able to support vulnerable Nigerians within three years,” Doro said.

Atiku Questions Five-Million Household Difference

Atiku said the figures from the government did not correspond and called for clarification on the actual number of beneficiaries.

“On 16 July 2026, the Presidency officially declared that expanded cash transfers had reached 15 million vulnerable households,” the statement reads.

“It repeated essentially the same figure on 2 August 2026. Yet on 26 August 2026, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs suddenly told Nigerians that only ‘slightly over 10 million households’ had been reached.

“So where did five million households go? These are not opposition figures. They are Tinubu’s figures contradicting Tinubu’s figures.”

The former vice-president also challenged the government’s expenditure figures based on the amount each qualifying household was expected to receive.

According to him, the government had indicated that eligible households would receive N25,000 monthly for three months, which amounted to N75,000 per household.

“If 10 million households received the full payment, that would be about N750 billion. If 15 million households did, it would exceed N1.1 trillion. Yet government says it spent just over N600 billion,” he said.

Atiku demanded information on the number of beneficiaries who received one, two or all three payments. He also sought details of failed and reversed transactions.

“A name on a social register is not a bank alert. Counting people in a database is not the same thing as proving money reached them,” Atiku said.

Atiku Demands Disbursement Records

The ADC presidential candidate urged the Federal Government to publish verifiable records showing how the funds were distributed.

“If N600 billion truly moved, then government must show the trail: unique verified households, payment tranches, state-by-state distribution, failed transactions, reversals and an independent audit,” he said.

Atiku also criticised the government’s wider poverty-reduction strategy. He argued that economic policies should tackle the factors that increase the cost of living rather than rely mainly on cash support after households become vulnerable.

He cited his proposed intervention in the domestic petroleum value chain as an approach aimed at reducing fuel and transportation costs.

“When petrol becomes cheaper, the bus driver spends less, the farmer moves produce more cheaply, the trader pays less for haulage, businesses face lower logistics costs and the savings travel through the economy to the family kitchen,” he said.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The presidency has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of policy confusion and political gamesmanship following what it described as three contradictory statements on petrol subsidy within a single week.

In a strongly worded statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, questioned whether the 2023 presidential candidate is proposing a serious economic policy or merely exploiting the temporary economic discomfort facing Nigerians.

The controversy began when Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, announced that the former vice-president would restore petrol subsidy if elected president and later phase it out, describing it as a temporary intervention to give Nigerians and businesses room to recover.

However, another senior aide, Phrank Shaibu, quickly issued a clarification, describing Ibe’s statement as “unauthorised and misleading.” Shaibu insisted that Atiku would not set a predetermined date for ending the subsidy, but would maintain it until domestic refining expands and market conditions stabilise.

Hours later, Atiku himself intervened, effectively overruling the clarification and insisting his position “has not changed.” He reiterated that he would restore what he called a “targeted subsidy” if elected president, stating: “I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians.”

Presidency Questions Economic Understanding

Onanuga challenged the former vice-president’s understanding of petroleum market dynamics, pointing out that petrol prices are influenced by multiple factors including international crude oil prices, exchange rates, refining costs, transportation, and distribution.

“Petrol does not become cheap simply because government orders a subsidy or because competition is expected to emerge,” Onanuga stated.

The presidency also took issue with Atiku’s argument linking fuel prices to food inflation, noting that Nigerians experienced rising food prices even during years when petrol subsidy was in place.

“Agricultural productivity, insecurity, exchange rates, logistics, storage, flooding, input costs, money supply and supply constraints also matter,” the  statement read.

Technical Questions on Subsidy Proposal

The presidency raised specific technical questions about Atiku’s proposal, asking whether he is aware that refined petrol constitutes only 45 per cent of the by-products of a refined barrel of crude oil.

Other products include aviation fuel, kerosene, and diesel – the latter deregulated during the Obasanjo-Atiku administration in 2004. The statement questioned whether Atiku would subsidise all these by-products as well.

Onanuga urged Atiku to explain precisely what he means by “targeted subsidy,” including its cost, beneficiaries, funding mechanism, and the objective economic conditions that would determine its eventual termination.

“The economy is too serious for policy somersaults, incoherence, destructive populism and election gimmicks,” the statement concluded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the declaration during an interview on Wednesday.

He said he did not oppose the removal of the subsidy but questioned how the funds saved from the policy had been used by the government.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go? It was intended to reduce poverty and help children attend school. Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” Atiku said in Hausa.

He added, “If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it.”

According to Atiku, the removal of the subsidy would have been acceptable if the government had invested the resulting savings in projects that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went. If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different. If elected, I can remove the subsidy and use the money to do all these properly.”

President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy in his inaugural address on May 29, 2023.

The policy was followed by a sharp rise in the cost of living as petrol prices increased and the cost of goods and services rose across the country.

However, some state governors have said their monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) increased considerably after the subsidy was removed.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said on Wednesday that the removal of the subsidy had generated N15.8 trillion in additional resources for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.

Oyedele attributed the increase partly to higher revenue collections, particularly the naira value of transactions denominated in US dollars after the exchange-rate reforms.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over an unauthorised payment made into one of his private bank accounts by an unidentified person.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the transaction was described as a “Contribution Electioneering Campaign” but was neither requested nor approved by him or his campaign organisation.

His Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

The statement described the circumstances surrounding the transaction as “deeply troubling” and questioned how an unknown person obtained details of an account whose information is not publicly available.

“The transfer originated from a person totally unknown to His Excellency,” the statement reads.

“Neither His Excellency nor his campaign solicited, authorised or has any knowledge of the individual or entity behind the unauthorised payment.”

Atiku questioned the source of the information used to make the payment, particularly because the affected account is a private one.

“The account is a strictly private one whose details are not in the public domain. This raises a fundamental question: How did unknown persons obtain the confidential banking details of a private citizen?” he asked.

‘NO NIGERIAN’S FINANCIAL PRIVACY IS SAFE’

The former vice-president said the incident raised concerns that could extend beyond his personal circumstances.

He argued that unauthorised access to the banking information of a former vice-president and presidential candidate could indicate a broader threat to the financial privacy of Nigerians.

“If the private banking information of a former Vice President and a leading presidential candidate can be accessed and deployed for reasons yet unknown, then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe,” he said.

Atiku also warned about the potential consequences if the information had been obtained through people with privileged access to banking records.

“If established, this would amount to a grave abuse of power capable of exposing the account holder to kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, fraudsters and other criminal elements,” the statement added.

The ADC presidential candidate linked the development to what he described as a series of “suspicious activities” ahead of the 2027 general election.

Despite the incident, Atiku said he would remain focused on his political objectives and would not allow the development to distract him.

“As political activities gather momentum, Nigerians should not be distracted by these tired tactics that smack of character assassination,” he added.

“Such desperate antics have failed before and will fail again. The Waziri Adamawa remains focused on offering Nigerians credible leadership and practical solutions to the nation’s challenges.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Tinubu administration’s defence of its economic policies, insisting that government statements cannot hide the hardship many Nigerians continue to face.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. The statement followed recent exchanges between the Presidency and the former vice president over the government’s economic reforms, borrowing, tax policies and the impact of the removal of petrol subsidy.

The Presidency, through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, had defended the administration’s policies. Onanuga argued that one of the major gains of fuel subsidy removal was the significant increase in allocations to states and local governments through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Responding, Atiku accused the administration of focusing on what he described as public relations and “statistical manipulation” instead of addressing the country’s economic challenges.

He questioned the government’s positive assessment of the economy.

“If the economy is doing so well, why are Nigerians getting poorer?” he asked.

According to him, the government’s emphasis on favourable economic indicators does not reflect the realities facing ordinary citizens.

“The State House celebrates macroeconomic indicators while ordinary Nigerians struggle with microeconomic realities,” he said.

“It speaks glowingly about GDP growth while families skip meals. It boasts of debt ratios while businesses shut their doors. It trumpets reforms while millions of citizens slide deeper into poverty.”

Atiku maintained that the true measure of any government should be the welfare of its people rather than economic figures.

“Governments are not elected to improve spreadsheets. They are elected to improve the lives of their people,” he said.

“Nigerians cannot eat GDP. They cannot cook with debt-to-GDP ratios. They cannot pay school fees with statistical projections.”

The former vice president also rejected the Presidency’s position that critics rely on outdated information. He argued that the effects of the administration’s policies remain evident across the country.

“The Tinubu administration is asking Nigerians to forget the very policies whose consequences they continue to endure every day,” he said.

“Economic policy is not a light switch. The consequences of reckless decisions linger long after the announcements have faded.”

Atiku further questioned why the government continues to borrow despite its claims of improved revenue generation and stronger tax collections.

“If revenue has improved so dramatically, if subsidy has been removed, if tax collection has increased, and if debt servicing has supposedly become more manageable, why does this administration continue to borrow at record levels?” he asked.

He also argued that Nigerians have yet to enjoy the promised benefits of fuel subsidy removal.

“Three years later, Nigerians are entitled to ask: where are those dividends?” he said.

“Instead of relief, they have experienced the highest fuel prices in history, unprecedented transport costs, soaring food inflation, collapsing purchasing power and an economy where millions now struggle to afford even one decent meal a day.”

The ADC presidential candidate criticised the administration’s tax reforms. He said businesses are under pressure because of rising production and operating costs. He added that the government’s performance should be judged by improvements in education, healthcare and living standards.

Citing figures from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Atiku said 767 manufacturing firms have shut down, while another 335 are operating under distress. He also said manufacturers are holding about ₦2.14 trillion worth of unsold finished goods. He noted that multinational firms such as Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi and Kimberly-Clark have exited local manufacturing operations.

According to him, those developments provide a clearer picture of the economy than official government claims.

“The true verdict on this administration’s economic policies is not written by government spokespersons,” he said.

“It is written in the silent factories, the abandoned production lines, the shuttered warehouses, the unemployed workers and the empty pockets of millions of Nigerians. No amount of propaganda can erase that reality.”

He urged the Presidency to focus on improving the living conditions of Nigerians instead of defending its economic record through public statements.

“Governments are not judged by the elegance of their press statements or the sophistication of their economic theories,” he said.

“They are judged by whether families can afford food, whether businesses can survive, whether young people can find jobs, whether communities are secure, and whether citizens have hope for tomorrow.”