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African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded an apology from President Bola Tinubu, accusing his administration of worsening economic hardship before introducing temporary measures to ease fuel costs.
Atiku made the demand on Friday while speaking at the inauguration of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, where he criticised the government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) stations and questioned its earlier rejection of his proposal for targeted fuel-cost support.
“Let me address Bola Tinubu. Your government has made life unbearable and called it reform.”
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ADC Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar says President Bola Tinubu’s administration has failed to provide meaningful economic relief.
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) October 9, 2026
“Let me address Bola Tinubu,” Atiku said.
“Your government has made life unbearable and called it reform. You have demanded painful sacrifice from the people while you, your family, and friends are junketing all over the place.”
He said Nigerians had endured rising petrol prices and the resulting increases in the cost of goods and services, arguing that the government’s recent intervention came after prolonged hardship.
“You told Nigerians to be patient as the price of petrol has pushed up the price of almost everything else. But now that an election is approaching, you have suddenly discovered their pain,” he said.
“Nigerians did not need a press conference to tell them they were suffering. Absolutely not.”
Atiku said Nigerians had experienced the effects of the administration’s policies since Tinubu assumed office.
“They have lived it for 1,229 days since you took office. They know who made their lives difficult, and they are ready to hold you to account and mark your script,” he said.
The former vice president questioned the reach of the proposed discount, which the government said would apply to petrol sold at NNPC stations for an initial 30 days, with priority for public transport operators.
“Yesterday, your government announced a 30-day discount on petrol at NNPC stations.
“Imagine, with priority for public transport operators. How many NNPC stations do we have in the whole of the country? Less than 1,000,” Atiku said.
He also accused Tinubu’s administration of contradicting its earlier position on his proposal to provide targeted support to reduce fuel costs.
“But Bola, when I proposed targeted support to ease fuel costs, you called me ignorant of economic policy. Your government said it could not be done,” he said.
“Now, in a desperate and clumsy retreat, you have shamelessly embraced the principle you mocked.”
Atiku then made his demand directly to the President, saying: “You owe me an apology.”
He also criticised the administration over the rising cost of food, transportation and business operations, questioning what it had achieved in improving living conditions.
“Therefore, fellow Nigerians, Bola Tinubu, he must go has had more than three years to improve our lives. What has he given us? Poverty and pain,” he said.
“A bag of food that costs more each time we go to the market. That’s what he gives us. A journey to work that eats up our salaries. A business that cannot keep its lights on.”
Atiku said the economic situation had also affected his farming activities, claiming that he had abandoned his farm for more than three years despite previously being the largest farmer in his state.
“I experienced it. A farm we may be too afraid to visit. I have abandoned my farm for more than three years today,” he said.
“And I used to be the largest farmer in my state. This is the cruel record he wants Nigerians to applaud.”
The ADC presidential candidate said he shared the frustrations of Nigerians over the cost of living and pledged to work towards making essential goods and services more affordable.
“I have heard the anger in your voices, and I share that anger extremely deeply,” he said.
“Across this country, people are ready to stand with us and demand better. I will stand with you until we make life affordable again.”
