Economy: Nigerians can’t eat GDP – Atiku knocks Tinubu
Atiku Abubakar Criticizes Tinubu Administration’s Economic Performance
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress, has sharply criticized the economic management of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that Nigerians cannot rely solely on economic metrics like Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or debt-to-GDP ratios.
Abubakar, who served as Vice President, remarked that governments are elected to address the needs of their citizens, not merely to enhance financial spreadsheets. His comments came in response to the presidency’s recent defense of Tinubu’s economic performance, which he labeled as an attempt to utilize propaganda in place of tangible results.
“The manipulation of figures cannot conceal the daily struggles faced by millions of Nigerians,” Abubakar stated. He noted the closure of 767 factories and the financial instability of 335 others, claiming that any economic successes attributed to Tinubu are found primarily in official statements.
Abubakar expressed confusion over the government’s lengthy critiques of opposition parties while failing to address a critical concern: “If the economy is doing so well, why are Nigerians getting poorer?” He further pointed out the inconsistency in the administration’s approach, highlighting that it is preparing budgets for 2024, 2025, and 2026 simultaneously while asking citizens to overlook the consequences of prior economic decisions.
Referencing a Yoruba proverb, Abubakar noted, “Those wounds are still fresh, and no amount of rewriting history or selective data will make them disappear.” He emphasized that the administration’s focus on economic indicators stands in stark contrast to the reality faced by citizens, who are grappling with escalating financial difficulties.
While acknowledging that the State House has touted improvements in key economic statistics, Abubakar criticized the disconnect between these figures and the lived experiences of ordinary citizens, including market vendors, artisans, and young graduates.
He reiterated that independent institutions often cited by the government have reported that overall economic stabilization has not improved living conditions for many. According to the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation, 63 percent of Nigerians continue to live below the national poverty line, and nearly 27 million experienced food insecurity by late 2025.
“These statistics are not coming from opponents of the government but from reputable international organizations that the administration frequently references,” Abubakar said.
He concluded by stressing that the effectiveness of governance should be measured by the improvement in the daily lives of citizens. “Nigerians cannot eat GDP or pay school fees based on statistical predictions. The real test of economic management is whether families are better off now compared to before. On that measure, this government has fallen short.”
