Atiku Criticises Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech
By DANFODIO VOICE
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day address, describing it as “riddled with falsehood” and disconnected from the harsh realities ordinary Nigerians face.
In a statement issued on Wednesday through his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shuaibu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said Tinubu’s claims of progress in education, healthcare, the economy, and national security do not reflect the lived experiences of citizens.
President Tinubu had, in his nationwide broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, assured Nigerians that his administration was “turning the corner” and laying “concrete foundations” for long term prosperity. But Atiku, in a stinging rebuttal, insisted that the country remains trapped in economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance.
The pot is not only empty but cracked and the people remain hungry, Atiku said, drawing attention to widespread poverty and hunger despite government assurances of reforms.
Education and Healthcare: Empty Promises
Tinubu’s address highlighted improvements in schools and healthcare facilities across the nation. However, Atiku challenged these claims, saying that despite the increase in the number of schools since independence, many pupils still learn under deplorable conditions.
According to him, children in some rural communities continue to sit on bare floors and write in dust due to the absence of adequate infrastructure, while teachers struggle with poor remuneration.
On healthcare, Atiku argued that patients still face dire challenges, often being forced to provide basic supplies before receiving treatment. He boasted of more hospitals, but our mothers and fathers still carry candles, syringes, and drugs into wards before treatment can begin. A man who builds many huts without roofs has only built shade for goats, he remarked.
Economic Woes Deepen
The former vice president was particularly critical of Tinubu’s economic policies, which he said have left millions of Nigerians in misery. While Tinubu spoke of bold reforms and a brighter future, Atiku maintained that citizens are yet to see any tangible benefits.
Food prices are higher than rooftops, transport has swallowed incomes, and many families now eat less than one meal a day. If these are the ‘seeds’ of reform, then the fruit is still bitter, he said.
Atiku further argued that proclamations of social welfare schemes and cash disbursements to poor households lack evidence on the ground. We were told that billions have been disbursed to poor households. Nigerians ask simply: where? If the yam was truly cooked, neighbours would perceive the aroma, he quipped.
Insecurity: A Nation on Edge
President Tinubu had commended the armed forces for their sacrifices and touted successes against insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers. But Atiku said such declarations do not align with the continuing spate of insecurity across the country.
Nigerians still sleep with one eye open, and families still pay ransom as if it were the daily price of gari, he said.
Atiku cited the recent killing of Somtochukwu, a young Arise TV news anchor, during a robbery attack in Lagos as proof that safety remains elusive. Her death is a painful reminder that no one not even the voices that bring us the news is safe in today’s Nigeria, he lamented.
Youth and the Future
The PDP stalwart also criticised Tinubu’s rhetoric on youth empowerment, insisting that young Nigerians need practical opportunities, not lofty promises. He noted that many graduates now resort to menial jobs such as riding commercial motorcycles or hawking sachet water to make ends meet.
You cannot tell a child to dream big while you steal the mat he sleeps on, Atiku said, stressing that government policies must translate into real empowerment for the youth.
Call for Honest Leadership
Atiku emphasised that resilience, a quality Nigerians are known for, should not be mistaken for an endorsement of poor governance. He reminded the government that statistics and PowerPoint presentations cannot mask the hardship endured daily by citizens.
A masquerade does not clap for itself; it is the crowd that cheers when the steps are sweet. Nigerians are not clapping, because the music they hear is hunger, insecurity, and despair, he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s 65 years of independence, Atiku acknowledged the country’s resilience through civil war, military rule, and multiple crises. Yet, he stressed that the dreams of the founding fathers remain unfulfilled.
Our founding fathers dreamed of a land flowing with justice and opportunity. Today, the riverbed is dry for many, and only a privileged few fetch from the little water left, he added.
The Larger Political Context
Atiku’s remarks are not only a critique of Tinubu’s speech but also part of the broader political battle between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP. As a former presidential candidate, Atiku has consistently positioned himself as a voice of opposition, often challenging Tinubu’s policy directions since the 2023 elections.
For many Nigerians, the dueling narratives between the president and his critics underscore a widening gap between government assurances and public realities. While Tinubu insists that his reforms will eventually yield results, opposition voices like Atiku warn that without urgent relief measures, the country risks deeper economic and social collapse.
As Nigeria reflects on 65 years of independence, the debate over its present and future remains as heated as ever. For citizens, the pressing question is not whether reforms are underway, but whether they can begin to feel relief from the daily grind of hunger, insecurity, and economic uncertainty.