Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has intensified his criticism of the Bola Tinubu administration, describing the 2027 presidential election as a contest against what he called “thieves” while accusing those in power of undermining the electoral process and worsening Nigeria’s economic conditions.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the remarks in a video shared on his X account on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as political parties step up preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.
“We are competing with thieves,” Atiku said, alleging that those currently in power had taken control of both the electoral process and the country’s economic resources.
The former vice president did not identify specific individuals in the statement beyond directing his criticism at those in power.
His comments come as the opposition intensifies efforts to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.
Alongside his criticism of the government, Atiku reaffirmed his controversial proposal to restore a form of petrol subsidy if elected president.
The ADC candidate argued that the removal of the subsidy has contributed to higher transportation and food costs, placing additional pressure on households and businesses.
Atiku said his administration would pursue measures aimed at lowering energy and transportation expenses while improving Nigerians’ purchasing power.
His position has generated a fresh political debate, particularly because the former vice president’s aides recently offered differing explanations about how his proposed intervention would work.
Atiku subsequently made clear that his position on restoring subsidy had not changed. His campaign has also sought to distinguish the proposal from the previous fuel-import subsidy system, describing it instead as targeted support linked to domestic production and refining.
Atiku presented the proposed intervention as part of a wider economic programme intended to ease the cost-of-living crisis.
His stated priorities include:
- Reducing energy and transportation costs.
- Supporting domestic production and businesses.
- Improving household purchasing power.
- Strengthening Nigeria’s economic security.
- Addressing physical security challenges.
- Using targeted government intervention to cushion vulnerable Nigerians.
The former vice president has repeatedly argued that government policy should prioritise the welfare of citizens, particularly as inflation and higher energy costs continue to affect household budgets.
Atiku’s renewed subsidy pledge has already drawn criticism from the Presidency.
Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the former vice president needed to provide greater clarity on how his proposed subsidy would operate, including its cost, beneficiaries and funding mechanism.
The Presidency has defended the Tinubu administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, arguing that the reform has strengthened government finances and improved the country’s fiscal position.
It has also questioned whether Atiku’s proposal represents a sustainable alternative to the existing petroleum-market framework.
The dispute places fuel pricing and economic management among the issues likely to dominate the 2027 campaign.
Atiku’s comments come as opposition politicians continue to explore different strategies for challenging Tinubu.
Atiku is leading the ADC presidential campaign, while Peter Obi is pursuing his presidential ambition under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Other opposition figures have also been involved in discussions over possible cooperation.
A key unresolved question is whether major opposition candidates will eventually unite behind one presidential contender or contest separately.
Recent discussions facilitated by the G-100 have sought to encourage greater cooperation among opposition parties. However, the Atiku and Obi camps have not indicated that either candidate is prepared to abandon his presidential ambition in favour of a consensus candidate.
The disagreement is significant because Atiku and Obi were among the leading opposition candidates in the 2023 election, when multiple opposition candidacies divided the anti-APC vote.
The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), putting the major political contenders on an increasingly compressed campaign timetable. The governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The approaching election is expected to focus heavily on:
- The cost of living and purchasing power.
- Petrol prices and energy policy.
- Security and kidnapping.
- Economic reforms under the Tinubu administration.
- Electoral credibility.
- The ability of opposition parties to cooperate.
Atiku’s latest remarks signal an increasingly confrontational campaign as the 2027 presidential race gathers momentum.
For the ADC candidate, the election is not only a contest over who should occupy Aso Rock but also a referendum on the government’s economic record and its handling of the electoral process.
For the ruling APC, the challenge will be to defend its reforms and convince voters that policies such as petrol subsidy removal can deliver sustainable economic gains.
With the presidential vote less than five months away, the competing narratives over economic hardship, reform, accountability and political change are likely to become central themes of the campaign.
