Atiku asked Tinubu to face the failures of the government, not the opposition

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has described President Tinubu as a “sinking man” who seeks to divert attention from the performance of his government with political rhetoric.

Atiku said this in reaction to the president’s comments that the opposition must “fight to the end” politically if they plan to oust him in the 2027 elections.

In a statement delivered by Senior Special Assistant for Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said that the President’s statement reflected an attempt to divert attention from what he described as the government’s failures.

He also blamed the President for making the comments in response to CBCN’s call for credible, transparent and peaceful elections, saying the response showed a lack of humility and civility.

“Mr President, you are a drowning man. Grapple with your failures, not your opponents,” said Atiku.

He argued that a president facing the country’s worst cost of living crisis in recent years should focus on addressing inflation, hunger, insecurity, naira instability and declining public confidence rather than confronting political opponents.

According to Atiku, governments that fail to achieve their goals often use political theater to divert the attention of their citizens from existing difficulties.

“These are the words of a drowning man. A government that has little to celebrate will surely seek refuge with palpitations. But Nigerians are no longer interested in political performance. They are interested in government performance. Empty slogans cannot fill empty stomachs. Arrogant statements cannot lower food prices. Threats against political opponents cannot restore the value of the naira,” he said.

The ADC presidential candidate stated that President Tinubu’s biggest challenge is not the opposition, but the performance of his government.

“His greatest opponent is his own record. Every unpaid worker, every struggling business, every unemployed graduate, every victim of insecurity and every hungry family is a living testimony to the consequences of his government’s choices. It’s a contest he has consistently failed to win.

“Democracy is a marketplace of ideas and accountability. In 2027, Nigerians will not enter a wrestling ring. They will enter the polls to pass constitutional judgment,” he added.

Atiku urged the president to devote the remainder of his term to addressing the country’s economic and security challenges rather than, in his view, creating unnecessary political confrontations.