Atiku slams Tinubu says Nigerians live on income not petrol

The former vice president, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the recent remarks by President Bola Tinubu who justified the deepening hardship in Nigeria.

The president had during his visit to Bayelsa State drawn comparisons with fuel prices in other countries and the hardship being faced by citizens.

However, reacting to the president’s remarks, Atiku in a statement issued by his aide Phrank Shaibu said such a “narrative is not only misleading but a grave distortion of the lived reality of Nigerians.

“It is both curious and troubling that the President would isolate fuel prices as a metric of economic comfort while ignoring the far more critical indicators of purchasing power, income levels, and cost of living.

“This selective reasoning betrays either a fundamental misunderstanding of economic realities or a deliberate attempt to deflect from policy failures.

“Yes, petrol prices in Nigeria may appear lower than in countries like Kenya or South Africa. But this comparison collapses instantly when placed against the backdrop of economic realities. Nigeria today is more expensive to live in than Kenya, with the average cost of living significantly higher, despite lower fuel prices,” Atiku said.

He also added that the more alarming aspect since Tinubu’s assumption of office in 2023 is the collapse in earning power.

“The implication is clear: affordability is not defined by price alone, but by the relationship between income and expenditure. On this measure, Nigerians have never had it worse.

“It is, therefore, deeply disappointing that at a time when citizens expect empathy, clarity, and decisive leadership, the President has chosen the path of statistical convenience.

He warned that any government that relies on selective comparisons while its citizens grapple with rising poverty, inflation, and declining living standards risks appearing not only out of touch, but also indifferent.

“Nigerians are not asking for comparisons—they are demanding relief. Nigerians deserve honesty. Nigerians deserve better,” he added.