Former Vice President, , has strongly criticised the administration of President , describing the country’s current economic situation as “organised hardship disguised as reform.”
Mr Atiku’s reaction followed a recent warning by the, IMF, on Nigeria’s economic outlook, which he said merely reflects the reality already being experienced by millions of Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former presidential candidate said the IMF’s position validates widespread concerns over worsening living conditions across the country.
“At a time when Nigerians were promised renewed hope, what they have received is renewed hardship—raw, relentless, and unforgiving,” Mr Atiku said.
“The IMF is not breaking news; it is confirming a national emergency that this administration refuses to acknowledge.”
He accused the government of being disconnected from the plight of ordinary citizens, noting that while officials rely on technical economic language, many Nigerians are grappling with rising costs of living and declining purchasing power.
According to him, soaring food prices, high transportation costs, exchange rate instability, and the continued depreciation of the naira have compounded economic hardship, pushing more citizens into poverty despite favourable global oil prices.
“At the grassroots, the situation is even more severe,” he said, citing cases of parents withdrawing children from school due to rising costs, farmers abandoning their lands over insecurity, and small businesses shutting down under the weight of taxes, electricity tariffs, and an unfavourable business environment.
He warned that the country is facing not just an economic downturn but a broader erosion of living standards and human dignity.
“This administration has turned sacrifice into a one-way street where the people bear the burden while the government offers explanations,” Atiku stated. “You cannot ask a hungry population to remain patient while policies worsen their conditions.”
The former vice president also raised concerns about Nigeria’s rising debt profile, warning that continued borrowing without visible improvements in citizens’ welfare could worsen the country’s economic outlook.
“We are borrowing heavily, yet there is little evidence of impact on the lives of the people—no jobs, no relief, no measurable improvement,” he said.
Atiku further faulted what he described as the government’s reliance on theoretical economic policies without sufficient attention to their real-life consequences.
“Governance is not about abstract theories; it is about whether citizens can afford basic necessities—food, transportation, and livelihood,” he added.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently adopt people-centred policies aimed at stabilising prices, supporting small businesses, reducing transportation costs, and protecting vulnerable populations.
“This is not the time for rhetoric; it is the time for decisive action,” he said. “The true measure of leadership is whether the lives of the people are improving. Today, Nigerians are worse off, and that reality cannot be ignored.”
