# Nigeria: Atiku Tackles Tinubu on Economic Hardship

> Atiku Abubakar criticizes Tinubu for economic policies, calling him 'the Egypt' Nigerians will never return to.
- Title: Nigeria: Atiku Tackles Tinubu on Economic Hardship · Allafrica
- Summary: Atiku Abubakar criticizes Tinubu for economic policies, calling him 'the Egypt' Nigerians will never return to. Atiku Abubakar accuses Tinubu of worsening…
- Keywords: nigeria, atiku abubakar, bola tinubu, african democratic congress, petrol subsidy, economic hardship, security challenges, police pension, news, world, politics, Atiku
- Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610200688.html
- Published: 2026-10-20T17:24:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nigeria, atiku abubakar, bola tinubu, african democratic congress, petrol subsidy, economic hardship, security challenges, police pension, news, world, politics
## Atiku Criticizes Tinubu
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar criticizes President Bola Tinubu over his defense of petrol subsidy removal.

> Bola, you are the Egypt Nigerians are desperate to escape. You celebrate the day you made fuel more expensive, then lecture families struggling to pay for food and transport about why they must never go back.
## Economic Hardship Claims
Atiku says Tinubu's subsidy removal worsened living costs despite economic difficulties faced by households and businesses.

> At least Pharaoh knew he was holding people captive. Tinubu watches families cut meals, workers spend their salaries on transport, and businesses struggle to keep their lights on, then tells them a story about Moses.
## Proposed Relief Plan
Atiku proposes limited, budgeted support for Nigerian-refined petroleum products with independent audits and price reflection.

> My proposal is clear: give limited, budgeted support only to verified petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians. Imported fuel gets nothing.
## Security Challenges
Atiku accuses Tinubu of failing to address security issues despite communities under attack and children afraid to travel.

> Nigerians expect their President to confront the killers, rescue the abducted and make it possible to travel, farm, work and sleep without fear.
## Police Pension Concerns
A retired Assistant Superintendent of Police receives ₦29,000 monthly pension, with serving officers drawing on savings.

> A retired Assistant Superintendent told me he receives ₦29,000 a month. Serving officers are drawing down their pension savings to feed their families.
## Atiku's Demand for Action
Atiku urges Tinubu to act on police pensions, salaries, and security to make life affordable for Nigerians.

> Bola, answer the retired officers asking for a pension they can live on. Act on the Police Exit Bill and review serving officers' salaries.
## Tinubu's Leadership Critique
Atiku claims Tinubu's leadership has failed Nigerians by worsening economic hardship and insecurity.

> Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again.
## Call for Practical Solutions
Atiku insists on practical measures to reduce living costs and improve public safety for Nigerians.

> Stop pointing to Egypt as though it lies behind us. For millions of Nigerians, Egypt is the hunger, fear and indignity they are living through under you.
## What Happens Next
Atiku demands Tinubu address economic and security concerns to make life affordable for Nigerians.

> Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again.
## Key takeaway

Atiku Abubakar accuses Tinubu of worsening economic hardship and insecurity, demanding practical relief for Nigerians.