Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly rejected President Bola Tinubu’s criticism of his investment in education. He described the remarks as a desperate attempt to distract Nigerians from the shortcomings of the present administration.
In a statement issued on 7 November 2026 by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Tinubu had once again shown why Nigerians should not grant him a second term. He responded to questions about how he established an educational institution while serving as Vice President.
“The answer is simple: my investment in education predates my time in public service,” Atiku stated. “In 1993, while a United States court ordered the forfeiture of funds in an account in your name, describing them as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or funds involved in unlawful financial transactions, I was laying the foundation for ABTI Academy. That Academy has since grown into the American University of Nigeria.”
He argued that the contrast between their records is clear. “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. You cannot erase it by attacking my record in education.”
Atiku criticised the administration’s handling of the economy. He said a president who has created a crushing cost of living crisis has no basis for seeking another mandate. He claimed that more than 79 million Nigerians have been pushed into extreme poverty since 2023, with hardship, pain and despair becoming associated with the government. He also referred to a comment by the campaign’s Director General suggesting that hungry Nigerians are lazy, describing the language as poorly constructed.
“You created poverty, then insult the people suffering from it,” Atiku said. “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.”
He rejected the position that Nigeria cannot return to a form of fuel subsidy. “You say Nigeria will never return to subsidised petrol prices. You are wrong. By the grace of the Almighty and with the mandate of the Nigerian people, I will restore a transparent, production based subsidy tied to the local refining of fuel.” He added that his administration would invest in social welfare and end what he called an opaque system used to divert resources meant for vulnerable citizens.
Atiku concluded that after three and a half years in office, Tinubu has no achievements on which to campaign. “Your own record of failure is the strongest campaign against you. My Affordable Life campaign will not be silenced by your insults or your threats. I will lead Nigeria back to prosperity, growth and development.”
By A.Ikechukwu
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