Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has used the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day to deliver a scathing critique of the Bola Tinubu administration, accusing it of abandoning the welfare and security of its citizens.
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, Atiku lamented that despite Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources, millions of its citizens have been reduced to “refugees and beggars in their fatherland.”
He cited worsening hunger, rising insecurity, and continued attacks on communities by armed groups, saying the government has remained “unmoved and uncaring.”
“The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot,” Atiku wrote. “Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”
READ ALSO: Atiku Raises Alarm: Presidency Sponsoring Mercenaries to Impersonate Me
Reflecting on Nigeria’s six and a half decades of independence, Atiku described the nation as a “giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay,” blaming decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance for the country’s struggles. Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that with the right leadership, Nigeria could rise “from the ashes of failed governance” to reclaim its place among the community of nations.
Atiku concluded his message by wishing Nigerians a happy 65th Independence Day anniversary, calling for renewed hope in the nation’s democratic resilience.