Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted the administration of President Bola Tinubu over its distribution of food palliatives in Northern Nigeria, describing the effort as politically driven rather than a reflection of effective governance.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused the government of exploiting widespread hardship by “weaponising hunger and poverty” through the public distribution of relief materials.
His remarks come in response to a recent initiative spearheaded by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, which involved the rollout of 100 trucks of rice alongside ₦1.2 billion worth of palliatives to states across Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.
Shaibu characterised the exercise as a “calculated political display” amid deepening economic hardship, arguing that it signals what he described as the normalisation of poverty under the current administration.
According to Atiku, rather than tackling the root causes of economic challenges, the government has focused on highly publicised relief efforts instead of implementing long-term solutions. He further alleged that insecurity and policy shortcomings since 2023 have disrupted farming activities in the North, forcing many farmers off their land and weakening food supply chains.
He stated that rising inflation and declining purchasing power have left many Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities, while the government continues to prioritise short-term interventions.
Atiku also referenced earlier food distribution activities led by the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, during the Ramadan period in 2025, describing them as an early sign of what he now views as a broader strategy to politicise hunger.
He warned that continued reliance on palliative measures risks undermining democratic values by fostering dependency among citizens, instead of empowering them through sustainable economic policies.
Calling for a shift in approach, Atiku urged Nigerians to reject what he termed “stomach infrastructure politics” and demand leadership focused on lasting economic stability, food security, and improved living standards.
“The time has come to demand governance, not gestures,” he said.
