Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the Presidency over what he described as misplaced priorities, accusing it of focusing on defending photographs of President Bola Tinubu’s meals in Paris while Nigerians struggle with hunger, insecurity and economic hardship at home.
Atiku made his position known in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Phrank Shaibu. The statement faulted the Presidency’s response to public criticism over photos showing President Tinubu having lunch in Paris during an overseas trip.
According to Atiku, the Presidency’s decision to issue what it described as a “stop press” to defend the images showed a lack of understanding of the serious challenges facing the country.
“The Presidency’s latest ‘stop press’ is a textbook case of misplaced priorities and official shamelessness,” Atiku said. “That is not leadership. It is tone-deafness in power.”
The former vice president said Nigeria is currently facing multiple crises, including rising hunger, worsening insecurity and deep economic hardship, yet the government appeared more concerned about public debate over photographs.
“At a time when communities in Niger State and other parts of the country are under attack and families can no longer afford basic food, the Presidency is busy explaining camera phones, image quality and photo editing,” he added.
The criticism follows public reactions on social media after photographs of President Tinubu having lunch in Paris surfaced online. Some social media users questioned the authenticity of the images, with claims that they may have been generated using artificial intelligence or altered.
In response, the Presidency reportedly issued a statement defending the photos, insisting they were genuine and attacking claims that they were fake or AI-generated. This response sparked further debate, with many Nigerians questioning why the government would devote energy to such an issue amid serious national problems.
Atiku said the outrage shown by the Presidency over claims of image manipulation lacked moral strength, especially given past controversies surrounding governance and public trust.
“On the claim of AI or forgery, the outrage is unconvincing,” he said. “When credibility is eroded, doubt follows naturally.”
According to him, the real issue is not whether the photographs were real or fake, but the government’s failure to address the urgent needs of citizens.
“The real falsehood is not a photograph. It is the daily distortion of leadership priorities,” Atiku stated.
Nigeria is currently facing one of its toughest periods in recent years. Inflation has continued to rise, pushing up the prices of food, fuel and basic household items. Many families now struggle to afford daily meals, while unemployment and underemployment remain high.
The removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira have also added to the cost of living. Transport fares have increased, and small businesses are finding it difficult to survive due to high operating costs.
In addition to economic hardship, insecurity remains a major concern across the country. Armed banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and insurgency continue to affect many states.
In Niger State, which Atiku mentioned in his statement, communities have faced repeated attacks by armed groups, leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents and destruction of property. Similar security challenges exist in parts of Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Benue, Plateau and the South-East.
Many Nigerians have repeatedly called on the federal government to take stronger and more decisive action to address these problems.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, has remained vocal on national issues since losing the election. He has often criticised the Tinubu administration, accusing it of poor policy choices and lack of empathy for ordinary Nigerians.
In his latest statement, he said leadership is about setting the right priorities and responding to the people’s suffering with urgency and humility.
“Nigeria is burning. The Presidency is editing pictures,” he said. “It is time for the Presidency to abandon public relations theatrics, return home, and confront the emergencies facing Nigerians.”
He listed hunger, insecurity and economic collapse as the key issues that should command the full attention of the government.
“That is the minimum Nigerians expect,” Atiku added.
Atiku’s comments have generated mixed reactions across the country. Supporters of the former vice president say he raised valid concerns about governance and the need for leaders to focus on real issues affecting citizens.
Some Nigerians on social media agreed that the government’s response to the photo controversy appeared unnecessary and poorly timed.
“There are people who cannot afford food, yet the government is arguing about lunch photos,” one social media user wrote. “This shows how disconnected our leaders are.”
However, supporters of the Tinubu administration argued that the Presidency had the right to defend the President against false claims and misinformation.
They said allowing fake news to spread unchecked could damage the image of the country and its leadership.
“The government must respond to lies when necessary,” a pro-government commentator said. “Defending the President does not mean ignoring other issues.”
The exchange is part of a wider pattern of tension between the current administration and opposition figures. Since the 2023 elections, opposition leaders, including Atiku and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have frequently criticised government policies and actions.
The Presidency, on its part, has often pushed back against such criticism, defending its decisions and accusing opponents of playing politics.
Civil society groups have also called on the government to improve communication and show more sensitivity to the struggles of ordinary citizens.
According to them, even when responding to criticism, leaders must consider the mood of the country and the pain many people are experiencing.
As debates over the Paris lunch photos fade, Nigerians continue to face daily realities of high prices, insecurity and uncertainty about the future.
For Atiku and other critics, the issue is not about images or social media arguments, but about leadership priorities in a time of national hardship.