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Atiku Abubakar says President Tinubu should focus on fixing Nigeria’s worsening economic and security crises instead of attacking political opponents.
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Former Vice President describes Tinubu’s vow to “wrestle opponents to the finish” as the rhetoric of “a drowning man” seeking to divert attention from governance failures.
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ADC presidential candidate accuses the President of responding to the Catholic Bishops’ call for credible elections with “bravado rather than statesmanship.”
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Atiku insists Tinubu’s greatest political opponent is his administration’s record on inflation, insecurity, unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis.
July 29, (THEWILL) — Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu, urging him to abandon political grandstanding and, instead, confront what he described as the mounting failures of his administration in tackling inflation, hunger, insecurity and economic decline.
THEWILL reports that Atiku’s latest criticism came in response to President Tinubu’s declaration that he was prepared to “wrestle his opponents to the finish”, a remark made on Tuesday while addressing members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), who had appealed for credible, transparent and peaceful elections.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President described the President’s comments as the “lamentation of a drowning man” attempting to shift public attention from what he called an abysmal performance in office.
According to Atiku, it was troubling that the President chose combative rhetoric instead of reassuring Nigerians of his commitment to electoral integrity while responding to concerns raised by one of the country’s most influential religious bodies.
“It was particularly disturbing that such a reckless and undistinguished remark was made in response to a solemn appeal by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for credible, transparent and peaceful elections”, the statement said.
He argued that the President’s response reflected “aloofness” and a lack of the humility and decorum expected of a national leader during an engagement with the bishops.
“Mr President, you are a drowning man. Wrestle with your failures, not your opponents”, Atiku declared.
The former Vice President said that rather than talking about defeating political opponents, President Tinubu should be concentrating on addressing Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship.
“He should wrestle inflation to the ground, defeat hunger, restore security, stabilise the naira and rebuild public confidence in government”, Atiku said.
He further accused the administration of presiding over the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory, arguing that millions of Nigerians now struggle to afford food while insecurity continues to ravage farming communities and criminal gangs terrorise major highways.
According to him, unemployment has robbed many young Nigerians of hope, while policy inconsistency, mounting public debt and declining investor confidence have continued to weaken the economy.
Atiku argued that governments facing poor performance often resort to political theatrics instead of delivering tangible results.
“These are the words of a drowning man. A government that has little to celebrate inevitably seeks refuge in chest-thumping. But Nigerians are no longer interested in political performances. They are interested in performance in government. Empty slogans cannot fill empty stomachs. Boastful declarations cannot lower food prices. Threats against political opponents cannot restore the value of the naira”, he stated.
The opposition leader insisted that the President’s greatest political challenge was not the ADC or any other opposition party but the record of his own administration.
“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 administration’s choices. That is the contest he has consistently failed to win”, he added.
2027 Will Be a Referendum on Tinubu’s Record — Atiku
Atiku also reminded the President that democracy is built on accountability and the free choice of citizens, not intimidation or confrontational rhetoric.
“Democracy is a marketplace of ideas and accountability. Governments earn another term through competence, compassion and measurable results—not through combative rhetoric. In 2027, Nigerians will not be stepping into a wrestling arena. They will be stepping into polling units to deliver a constitutional verdict”, he said.
Calling on the President to focus on governance for the remainder of his tenure, Atiku said Nigerians were yearning for effective leadership capable of addressing the country’s deepening socio-economic challenges rather than political distractions.
“The Nigerian people are not looking for a wrestler. They are looking for a leader. History will not remember who shouted the loudest. It will remember who governed the best”, he added.
The latest exchange marks another chapter in the increasingly heated political rivalry between President Tinubu and Atiku ahead of the 2027 general elections. Since emerging as the presidential candidate of the ADC, Atiku has intensified his criticism of the Tinubu administration over economic reforms, insecurity, public debt, inflation and governance, while the Presidency has consistently defended its policies, insisting that ongoing reforms are necessary to reposition Nigeria’s economy despite the temporary hardships faced by citizens.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
