Atiku

By Uzair Adam

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the rising wave of killings and abductions across the country, describing the administration’s response as inadequate and repetitive.

Reacting to the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as well as the killing of several residents in Katsina State, including a pregnant woman, Atiku said the incidents reflected a serious collapse of leadership and security.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president expressed sadness over the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers in Ogbomoso, saying Nigerians were living in fear while the government continued to issue what he described as routine condemnations after tragic incidents.

According to him, the Federal Government has failed to take proactive measures against insecurity, noting that presidential statements condemning attacks and promising that perpetrators would face the “full wrath of the law” had become predictable and ineffective.

Atiku stated that Nigerians deserved more than public condolences and reactions after lives had already been lost, insisting that a responsible government should be able to protect citizens and prevent attacks before they occur.

He further argued that the increasing boldness of criminal groups showed that many no longer feared the Nigerian state, adding that communities were being attacked, schools invaded and innocent citizens killed without consequences for the perpetrators.

The former presidential candidate also condemned alleged attempts to suppress images and reports of violent attacks, warning that any government more concerned about controlling public perception than ending insecurity had failed morally and politically.

Describing the situation as a national disgrace, Atiku called for the immediate rescue of all abducted victims in Oyo State and urged authorities to strengthen security operations in vulnerable communities across the country.

He also demanded a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, saying the current system was no longer effective in addressing the worsening insecurity.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the death of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, who reportedly died while in the custody of bandits after his abduction along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Reports indicated that the former lawmaker was kidnapped on May 3, 2026, and died nine days later despite efforts by his family to secure his freedom.

Reacting to the incident, Atiku described the development as another sign of the growing security challenges facing the country under the current administration.

“His death is yet another grim reminder of the worsening collapse of security under the Tinubu administration,” he said.

The former vice-president spoke through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

According to Atiku, the death of a former federal lawmaker in the hands of kidnappers reflects what he described as the government’s inability to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“Let us be brutally honest: Nigeria is under siege, and the Tinubu administration appears either overwhelmed, indifferent, or dangerously incompetent in the face of this national emergency.

“When a former member of the National Assembly can be abducted on one of the country’s most strategic highways and die in captivity, what hope remains for the ordinary Nigerian who lacks visibility, influence, or protection?

“This is no longer about isolated incidents. It is now a horrifying pattern. Nigerians are being kidnapped from highways, farms, communities, and even their homes, while the government continues to issue sterile statements and recycled assurances that bear no resemblance to the lived reality of our people.

“Under this administration, insecurity has evolved from a crisis into a cruel national routine. Citizens now travel with prayers instead of protection. Families sleep with one eye open. Businesses are shutting down, farmers are abandoning their land, and entire communities are being surrendered to criminals.

“A government that cannot secure its highways cannot claim to govern. A government that watches citizens get hunted like prey has failed the most elementary test of leadership.

“It is particularly tragic that the Abuja-Kaduna corridor and surrounding routes have remained notorious theatres of terror despite repeated promises, security budgets running into trillions, and endless propaganda about progress.

“Nigerians deserve answers. What exactly is the security strategy of this administration? Where is the urgency? Where is the accountability? How many more deaths must be recorded before this government realises that press releases do not defeat bandits?

“No amount of political spin can deodorise this failure. A nation where former lawmakers die in captivity while criminals operate with audacity is a nation in distress.

“At this point, what Nigerians need is not another hollow condolence message. They need decisive leadership, coherent action, and measurable results.”

Atiku also sympathised with the family of the deceased, the people of Jigawa State and Nigerians affected by insecurity across the country.

He urged the Federal Government to address the worsening security situation with urgency and take stronger measures to protect citizens.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned opposition parties against zoning their 2027 presidential ticket to the South, warning that such a decision could undermine their chances of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olusola Sanni, Atiku described the push for a southern candidate as “self-defeating and intellectually dishonest.” He argued that political strategy and “hard electoral arithmetic” should guide the opposition, not “emotional talking points.”

“The first and most obvious question is this: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president?” the statement queried, noting that no incumbent president has ever lost to an opponent from the same region.

Atiku’s camp further pointed out that by 2027, the South would have spent approximately 18 years in power since the return of democracy in 1999, compared to about 10 years for the North. This, they argued, makes the zoning argument difficult to justify “under the guise of equity.”

The former vice president also accused some politicians of hypocrisy, recalling that they supported Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency in 2011 following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, yet now defend zoning as a sacred principle.

However, Atiku maintained that the Southeast region deserves “a sustainable and credible pathway to national leadership,” not “symbolic tokenism.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has officially set the stage for his 2027 re-election bid, meeting with all 36 state coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) at the Presidential Villa.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC), APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and other top party leaders were also in attendance at the high-level strategy session.

The RHA, a grassroots mobilization group, was inaugurated by President Tinubu on November 25, 2025, specifically to champion his re-election campaign. Tuesday’s meeting marks the first major coordinated effort ahead of the 2027 polls, signaling a formal kickoff of campaign activities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said that living conditions in Nigeria have become more expensive than in Kenya, despite differences in fuel prices.

His remarks followed a statement by President Bola Tinubu during a visit to Bayelsa State, where the President said petrol is cheaper in Nigeria than in Kenya and several other African countries.

In a response issued on Saturday through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the comparison as ‘shallow’. He said it does not reflect the real economic situation faced by Nigerians.

He questioned the focus on fuel prices alone as a measure of economic wellbeing. He argued that factors such as income levels, purchasing power, and general cost of living provide a more accurate picture.

According to the statement, Nigeria remains more expensive when overall living costs are considered, even though petrol prices may appear lower.

“Yes, petrol prices in Nigeria may appear lower than in countries like Kenya or South Africa. But this comparison collapses instantly when placed against the backdrop of economic realities.

“Nigeria today is more expensive to live in than Kenya, with the average cost of living significantly higher, despite lower fuel prices.”

Atiku also pointed to differences in earnings between both countries. He said Kenya’s minimum wage is significantly higher than Nigeria’s.

“More alarming is the collapse in earning power. Kenya’s GDP per capita is nearly double that of Nigeria, and a minimum wage earner in Nairobi takes home the equivalent of about N170,000—more than twice Nigeria’s N70,000,” he said.

Available data shows that petrol currently sells between N1,290 and N1,350 per litre in Nigeria, while prices in Kenya exceed N1,800 per litre.

The exchange highlights ongoing debate over the impact of economic policies and the rising cost of living in Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said he now regrets his role in the creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 general elections, noting that Nigeria’s situation has worsened compared to the period before the party emerged.

He made the statement on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing attended by opposition figures who gathered to discuss the country’s condition and ongoing political consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku recalled how opposition leaders came together in 2014 to form a united front under the APC to challenge the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He explained that the move was driven by concerns over insecurity and economic difficulties at the time.

According to him, there were fears that democratic governance was under threat, which prompted the coalition to act in order to redirect the country’s path.

“We came together in 2014 because we believed democracy was faltering. The issues then were insecurity and the economy. But today, the situation has become even worse than what we set out to correct,” he said.

The former presidential candidate maintained that the current challenges facing the country have exceeded those that led to the formation of the APC. He stressed the need for political actors to learn from past alliances.

Atiku, who is a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), cautioned that any new coalition or opposition arrangement must be carefully planned and focused on rebuilding democratic institutions as well as restoring public trust in governance.

“We must ensure that whatever steps we take now are aimed at restoring true democracy in Nigeria,” he stated.

The briefing drew several notable opposition leaders. Their presence points to ongoing discussions and possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.