Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of being unwilling to face Nigerians directly over the country’s economic challenges while seeking another four-year mandate in the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku argued that the President should personally defend his administration’s performance instead of relying on governors, ministers and political allies to campaign on his behalf.
The criticism was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku Challenges Tinubu to Account for His First Term
The former Vice-President was reacting to Tinubu’s reported position that he might not attend every presidential campaign rally because of the demands of governance.
Tinubu had reportedly maintained that governing the country remained a priority, even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for the 2027 general election.
However, Atiku questioned the President’s explanation, arguing that the administration should demonstrate the same urgency in addressing the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
“Now he wants another mandate. Before asking Nigerians for one, he must face them and account for the first term,” Atiku said in the statement.
He challenged Tinubu to explain what his government had done to make food affordable, improve pensioners’ access to medicines and create decent employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
According to Atiku, the experiences of ordinary citizens should form a central part of the debate over whether the President deserves another term in office.
Economic Hardship at the Centre of Atiku’s Criticism
Atiku’s criticism focused largely on the cost-of-living pressures facing Nigerian households.
He alleged that many families had been forced to reduce their meals, postpone medical treatment and struggle with the declining purchasing power of their earnings.
The ADC presidential candidate also questioned the administration’s emphasis on meeting the expectations of foreign creditors and investors, arguing that the immediate needs of Nigerians deserved equal attention.
“Tinubu says American creditors cannot wait. Nigerians cannot wait either,” Atiku said.
He maintained that citizens deserved clear explanations about the impact of government policies on food prices, healthcare, employment and their general standard of living.
The former Vice-President’s remarks place economic conditions at the centre of the emerging political contest ahead of the 2027 election, with the opposition seeking to make the administration’s record a major issue in the campaign.
‘He Cannot Fill an Empty Pot With Surrogates’
Atiku also criticised Tinubu’s reliance on political allies to defend his administration and mobilise support for his re-election.
He argued that governors, ministers and other political figures could not replace the President in answering questions about the policies and promises associated with his government.
“He can fill every campaign stage in Nigeria. He cannot fill an empty pot with surrogates,” Atiku said.
He further argued that Tinubu personally received the mandate Nigerians gave the APC in 2023 and should therefore take direct responsibility for the administration’s decisions and outcomes.
According to Atiku, political endorsements and campaign appearances would not automatically resolve the difficulties experienced by citizens.
He warned that voters would ultimately judge the President based on their lived experiences rather than the arguments advanced by his supporters.
2027: Tinubu’s Campaign Strategy Under Scrutiny
The controversy highlights a developing debate over how Tinubu should balance the responsibilities of governing Nigeria with the demands of seeking re-election.
While Atiku has portrayed the President’s reported decision to miss some rallies as an attempt to avoid direct scrutiny, Tinubu’s stated position is that his official responsibilities may prevent him from attending every campaign event.
Whether the President’s approach becomes a significant electoral issue may depend on how the APC organises its campaign, how effectively the administration communicates its policies and how Nigerians assess its performance before the election.
Atiku, meanwhile, is seeking to make accountability, economic hardship and the President’s personal defence of his record central issues in the contest.
His remarks are political criticism from an opposition candidate and should be understood in that context; they do not, by themselves, establish that the President is deliberately avoiding Nigerians.
The Bigger Question for Nigerians
Beyond the exchange between the two political figures, the controversy raises a broader question about accountability in a democratic system: Should a sitting president seeking re-election personally defend his administration’s record before voters, or can his party’s officials adequately communicate that record on his behalf?
For the opposition, direct engagement would give Nigerians an opportunity to question the President about the effects of his policies on their daily lives.
For the ruling party, the central argument is likely to be whether the administration’s policies and achievements justify continuity.
As the 2027 election approaches, the debate is expected to intensify, with economic performance, political accountability and the competing promises of the major parties likely to feature prominently.
Ultimately, Nigerian voters will have to assess the claims made by both sides against the available evidence and their own experiences.
