By Jelili Gbadamosi
Atiku Abubakar, Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of political inconsistency over its approach to reducing the cost of living in Nigeria.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, argued that the Federal Government could not dismiss his proposal to reduce energy costs as a return to the past while simultaneously promising cheaper transportation, increased food production and relief for vulnerable Nigerians.
The ADC candidate questioned why measures aimed at making life more affordable were being criticised when proposed by him but presented as part of the government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda when announced by Tinubu.
According to Atiku, millions of Nigerians have endured rising food prices, expensive transportation, high energy costs and declining purchasing power for more than three years.
He said the prolonged economic hardship had forced many families to skip meals, delay medical treatment, withdraw children from school and abandon basic plans in order to survive.
Atiku further questioned why the government had waited several years before prioritising cheaper transportation and other measures aimed at easing pressure on households.
He maintained that the government’s rejection of his proposal, followed by its adoption of similar cost-of-living interventions, amounted to political convenience rather than economic consistency.
Atiku also said his focus remained on Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of survival, including low-income workers, farmers, students and families battling high transportation and food costs.
He urged the administration to focus less on political arguments and more on policies that would provide tangible relief to Nigerians.
