Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the worsening state of insecurity and economic hardship in the country, accusing the Presidency of shifting responsibility for the nation’s problems onto ordinary Nigerians and the media.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 election, said it was wrong for government officials to blame citizens for becoming victims of criminal attacks instead of holding security agencies accountable for protecting lives and property.
The former vice president made his position known in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
His reaction followed comments from the Presidency suggesting that many kidnapping incidents occur because people fail to follow security advice, particularly warnings against travelling at night.
According to Atiku, such comments raise serious concerns about the government’s understanding of its constitutional responsibility to provide security for citizens.
He questioned whether the Presidency was indirectly admitting that Nigerians could only be safe during certain hours of the day.
“Is the presidency admitting that Nigerians can only be safe for a few hours of the day? Is this an official declaration that Africa’s largest economy has been reduced to an eight-hour economy where citizens must shut down their businesses, abandon legitimate travel, and retreat indoors once the sun sets?” Atiku asked.
He argued that the primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property, adding that citizens should not be forced to limit their movements because of fear of criminal attacks.
“The primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property. Citizens do not surrender their freedoms in exchange for curfews imposed by fear,” he said.
Atiku maintained that insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges and cannot be dismissed as mere media exaggeration.
According to him, Nigerians experience the effects of insecurity daily through killings, kidnappings, armed attacks and terrorism across different parts of the country.
He pointed to the recurring violence in Benue and Plateau states, where attacks by armed groups have claimed hundreds of lives in recent months. He also cited the activities of bandits in states such as Zamfara, Katsina and Niger, where communities continue to face attacks, abductions and destruction of property.
The former vice president noted that kidnapping for ransom has become a major concern across the country, affecting travellers, farmers, business owners, students and ordinary citizens.
He argued that victims of such attacks should not be blamed for their misfortune.
“A trader travelling from Kano to Lagos, a businessman returning from Abuja to Kaduna, a farmer transporting produce to market, or a family embarking on a legitimate journey should not be blamed when criminals attack them. The blame belongs squarely where it should — on those charged with securing the country,” he stated.
Security has remained one of the most important issues in Nigeria over the last decade. Successive administrations have battled insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, communal clashes in parts of the North-Central, separatist tensions in the South-East and increasing cases of kidnapping across the country.
Although security agencies have recorded successes in some operations, many Nigerians continue to express concern about the frequency of attacks and the growing sophistication of criminal groups.
Atiku warned that normalising insecurity by advising people to avoid travelling at certain times could have serious consequences for the country’s economy.
He said businesses depend on the free movement of people and goods and that restricting economic activities because of fear would further weaken growth and productivity.
“A nation cannot prosper when its people are told that safety ends at sunset. Economies grow because people can move freely, trade freely, and conduct lawful activities without fear,” he said.
Beyond security concerns, the former vice president also criticised the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy.
According to him, many Nigerians are struggling with rising food prices, inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power.
Since the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023 and the floating of the naira, the country has experienced significant economic changes. While the Federal Government has defended the reforms as necessary steps to stabilise the economy and attract investment, many households have complained about the high cost of living.
Prices of food items, transportation, rent and other basic necessities have increased sharply, placing pressure on millions of families.
Atiku said the hardship being experienced by Nigerians is real and does not require media reports to prove its existence.
“The father who goes to bed wondering how to provide the next meal for his family does not need a newspaper report to confirm hardship,” he said.
The former vice president also criticised what he described as attempts by government officials to blame the media for reporting insecurity and economic difficulties.
According to him, journalists are simply performing their duty by reporting events and reflecting the realities faced by citizens.
“Blaming journalists for reporting insecurity and hardship is like blaming a thermometer for a fever,” Atiku said.
He stressed that governments lose public trust when they focus on controlling narratives rather than addressing the root causes of problems.
Atiku urged the administration to concentrate on practical solutions that would improve security, reduce economic hardship and restore confidence among Nigerians.
“Nigeria does not need explanations for suffering. Nigeria needs solutions. Nigeria does not need lectures about perception. Nigeria needs results,” he added.
His comments are likely to fuel ongoing political debates over the performance of the Tinubu administration, particularly as concerns over insecurity and the cost of living continue to dominate public discussions across the country.
The Presidency has repeatedly defended its policies, insisting that steps are being taken to tackle security challenges and improve economic conditions. Government officials have also argued that some of the reforms currently causing hardship will deliver long-term benefits for the country.
However, opposition figures and critics maintain that Nigerians need immediate relief from rising costs and stronger action against insecurity.