Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the APC’s revised Presidential Campaign Council as “a crowded confession of Tinubu’s fear”. He said Nigerians will not renew “a mandate of hardship”. He spoke in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku has contested every presidential election since 2007. He lost in 2019 and 2023. He is the ADC candidate for 2027. He has consistently criticised Tinubu’s economic reforms. The APC released a revised campaign council framework this week. It includes FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and non-APC state leaders. The list is long. Atiku says the length reveals a president counting politicians rather than answering for his record.
Atiku said only a man afraid of his record would try to bury it under hundreds of names. “Tinubu can gather every governor, minister and political defector in Nigeria. None of them can erase the hunger in people’s homes,” he said. He criticised the decision to inaugurate the campaign council inside Aso Rock Villa. “The Presidential Villa belongs to the Nigerian people. It is not a campaign venue.”
He cited the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, which recorded an increase of 17.9 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty. He said three and a half years of Tinubu’s leadership have left millions in deeper hardship. He urged registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards. “Bola made life expensive. I will work to make life affordable again and restore the security every Nigerian deserves,” he said.
Winners: Atiku, who gains a campaign narrative. The ADC, which gains visibility. Voters who feel heard. Losers: Tinubu, whose campaign council is dismissed. The APC, which faces criticism. The poverty index, which provides ammunition to the opposition.
Bottom Line: Atiku says hardship will decide 2027. The APC has a long list. Atiku has a short message. Nigerians will choose. The economy will decide.