ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and raised concerns over the detention of several opposition-linked figures, calling for greater adherence to due process.
Speaking during his State of the Nation Address, Atiku questioned Tinubu’s description of Nigeria as a “cancer patient” when he assumed office, saying many Nigerians continue to struggle with the cost of food, medicine and transportation after more than three years of the administration’s economic reforms.
Bola, you call Nigeria a patient with cancer, hmm. After three years of your treatment, why is it hard for Nigerians to buy food, pay for medicine, or even get to work?
– ADC Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar slams President Tinubu during his State of the Nation Address pic.twitter.com/9iOHIFuMSH
— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) October 1, 2026
“Bola, you call Nigeria a patient with cancer, hmm. After three years of your treatment, why is it hard for Nigerians to buy food, pay for medicine, or even get to work?” Atiku said.
Atiku also criticized what he described as a series of unfulfilled promises by the Tinubu administration, challenging the president to account for the time he has spent in office.
“Bola, your speech is full of ‘we will, we will, we will, we will, we will make farming cheaper, we will power factories, we will create jobs, we will bring down prices.’ You have been president for more than three years. Nigerians are entitled to ask: what have you done with the time already given to you?” Atiku said.
He also challenged Tinubu over a promise he said the president had made to reduce transport fares from October 1.
“Typical of yourself, everything is fake. You promised Nigerians lower transport fares from October 1st. Today is October 1st. Did your promise miss the bus?” Atiku said.
Typical of yourself, everything is fake. You promised Nigerians lower transport fares from October 1st. Today is October 1st. Did your promise miss the bus? You attacked my plan to make life affordable in your Independence Day speech, but you did not tell Nigerians which… https://t.co/HU2nEowTFE pic.twitter.com/mVug4ispa5
— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) October 1, 2026
He further criticized Tinubu’s Independence Day address, saying the president had attacked his plan to make life more affordable without explaining which additional transport routes had become cheaper.
“Bola, was this a yahoo yahoo promise?” Atiku said.
Atiku Raises Due Process Concerns
Atiku also raised concerns over the continued detention of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying the authorities should provide answers on whether due process was being followed.
“The continued detention of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria and El-Rufai raises questions about due process that the authorities must answer.
They are not accused of murder,” Atiku said.
The continued detention of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria and El-Rufai raises questions about due process that the authorities must answer. They are not accused of murder. Also, IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu’s right to lawful appeal must be respected following his conviction.
– ADC… https://t.co/79HEPdtObD pic.twitter.com/AAB51lnuBg
— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) October 1, 2026
He also called for the right of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to pursue a lawful appeal following his conviction.
Atiku further called for the release of five youths arrested in Borno State over their alleged involvement in wearing T-shirts bearing the words “Tinubu must go.”
His remarks add to his broader criticism of the Tinubu administration, covering both its economic policies and the handling of politically sensitive legal cases.
The Tinubu administration has defended its economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign-exchange regime, as necessary measures to stabilize and reposition the economy.
The message is clear: Tinubu must go, Tinubu must go, Tinubu must go.
– ADC Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar spoke during his State of the Nation Address https://t.co/W4tCBgiFkX pic.twitter.com/g8f7Wb72qJ
— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) October 1, 2026
