Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of being insensitive to Nigerians’ economic hardship, declaring that the President’s comparison of fuel subsidy removal to asking Moses to return to Egypt exposes his disconnect from the suffering of citizens.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, also faulted the Tinubu administration over insecurity and poor police welfare, insisting that Nigerians deserve affordable living costs, safer communities and better conditions for security personnel.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Tinubu’s reference to Moses and Egypt trivialised the hardship millions of Nigerians face following the removal of fuel subsidy.

“Bola, you are the Egypt Nigerians are desperate to escape,” Atiku said.

“You celebrate the day you made fuel more expensive, then lecture families struggling to pay for food and transport about why they must never go back.”

The former Vice-President accused Tinubu of portraying the removal of subsidy as an achievement while households struggle to afford food, workers spend a growing share of their earnings on transportation and businesses battle rising energy costs.

“At least Pharaoh knew he was holding people captive. Tinubu watches families cut meals, workers spend their salaries on transport and businesses struggle to keep their lights on, then tells them a story about Moses,” he said.
Atiku argued that Nigerians needed concrete economic relief rather than biblical analogies.

“A mother trying to feed her children cannot pay for food with a metaphor. A worker cannot get to work on a story about the Red Sea. Nigerians are asking how you intend to make life affordable. Answer them,” he said.

Outlining his alternative, Atiku proposed targeted, budgeted support for verified petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to domestic consumers. He said imported fuel would be excluded and independent auditors would monitor the programme to ensure that the benefits translated into lower pump prices.

“If it does not lower that price, it has failed its purpose,” he said.

Atiku challenges Tinubu over insecurity

Atiku also accused Tinubu of failing to adequately address insecurity, arguing that the President could not continue to rely on the security challenges inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari to explain persistent killings, kidnappings and attacks on communities.

He took aim at a reported remark by Tinubu’s campaign Director-General questioning what the President could do about insecurity when Buhari, a retired general, had been unable to eliminate it.

Atiku countered that former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, whom he said was not a sergeant, had tackled insecurity during his tenure.

“Nigerians expect their President to confront the killers, rescue the abducted and make it possible to travel, farm, work and sleep without fear,” he said.

He argued that the government must take responsibility for the security situation under its watch rather than shift blame to its predecessor.

“The lives lost under his watch are not an argument about his predecessor. They are an indictment of his own leadership,” Atiku said.

He challenged Tinubu to explain how he intended to restore security after more than three years in office, adding that Nigerians deserved clear answers before the President sought another four-year term.
Ex-VP demands better police welfare

The ADC candidate also raised concerns about the welfare of serving and retired police officers, citing what he described as inadequate pensions and salaries.

Atiku said a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police had told him he received a monthly pension of ₦29,000. He also alleged that serving officers were drawing on their pension savings to meet their families’ needs.

He questioned how officers could effectively protect the public while struggling to provide for their households and facing uncertainty over their retirement.

“How can a President demand courage from police officers in the field while leaving them worried about food at home and destitution in retirement?” he asked.

Atiku urged Tinubu to act on the Police Exit Bill and review the salaries of serving police officers, as had been done for members of the Armed Forces.

He also called for improved healthcare and retirement benefits, arguing that personnel responsible for protecting Nigerians deserved better conditions of service.

Concluding his criticism, Atiku said Tinubu’s reference to Egypt failed to reflect the economic distress and insecurity confronting millions of Nigerians.

“Stop pointing to Egypt as though it lies behind us. For millions of Nigerians, Egypt is the hunger, fear and indignity they are living through under you,” he said.

“They deserve affordable fuel, safe communities and police officers who can serve without sacrificing their families’ future. Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again.”