Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stark warning, stating that the Federal Government's borrowing practices have pushed Nigeria to the very edge of economic collapse. He delivered this grave assessment in his New Year's message to citizens, marking the start of 2026.
A Punishing Year Comes to an End
In a post on his official X account on 1 January 2026, Atiku addressed Nigerians, noting that the only consolation for millions was that 2025 had finally ended. He described it as "one of the most punishing years in our recent history."
He characterized the year under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration as one defined by economic suffocation, political recklessness, and governance without empathy. Atiku placed the blame squarely on President Bola Tinubu, accusing his government of "incompetence and policy bankruptcy."
The former Vice President highlighted that the administration governed for months without a functional budget, relying instead on propaganda and what he termed reckless borrowing. This combination, he argued, is what has brought the nation to a critical economic precipice.
Forgery, Insecurity, and Democratic Erosion
Atiku did not mince words when addressing specific scandals. He pointed to the "scandal of a forged tax law," which was shamelessly branded as a reform. He expressed deep concern over the President's refusal to allow proper legislative and legal processes to address what he called a clear criminal act.
"Any government that begins reform with forgery cannot end with prosperity," he stated unequivocally.
Beyond economics, Atiku lamented the deliberate weakening of Nigeria's democratic foundations. He accused the APC of systematically deforming the nation's multiparty democracy into a de facto one-party state through coercion, intimidation, and state capture.
The security situation also drew sharp criticism. Atiku noted a dramatic worsening of insecurity, with kidnappings, abductions, and violent crimes surging across the country. He said lives were lost, livelihoods destroyed, and communities terrorized, while government assurances rang hollow.
Empty Promises Amidst Widespread Suffering
Despite endless talk of economic recovery from the Tinubu administration, Atiku outlined the harsh realities faced by ordinary Nigerians:
- Rising unemployment and underemployment.
- Widespread labour unrest.
- Collapsing small businesses.
- Industries shutting down and workers being laid off.
- Spreading hunger and normalized suffering.
He criticized the government for falsely claiming to have met revenue targets while simultaneously drowning the nation in debt. Atiku also questioned the appointment of what he called undistinguished and unfit individuals to represent Nigeria abroad.
He asserted that Nigeria survived the year not due to government competence, but because of the resilience of its people.
A Call Against Exploitative Leadership
In one of his most poignant critiques, Atiku addressed the constant demand for citizens to make sacrifices. "Sacrifice is patriotic—but it becomes cruel when demanded by leaders who live extravagantly, insulated from the suffering of the people," he stated.
He defined leadership without shared pain as exploitation, especially as the backbone of job creation—small businesses—continues to collapse. "The arrogance of this administration is unprecedented," Atiku declared, citing its contempt for public opinion, hostility to criticism, and willingness to punish citizens through bad policies.
He concluded with a sobering reflection, calling this one of the most painful New Year messages he has ever written. He urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in the face of hardships imposed by what he described as the "callous and soulless policies of the Tinubu-led APC government."
