By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing it of worsening the economic conditions of Nigerian workers despite earlier promises of reform and relief.
In a statement issued to mark the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, Atiku said the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the current government has translated into “renewed hardship” for millions of Nigerians struggling with rising living costs and economic uncertainty.
“Today, it is painfully clear that what was renewed was not hope, but hardship,” he said, lamenting the burden placed on workers across sectors, including teachers, healthcare professionals, civil servants, and artisans.
The former vice president criticised the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal policy, describing it as necessary in principle but poorly executed. According to him, the abrupt removal without adequate safety nets triggered a surge in fuel prices, transportation costs, and food inflation, leaving ordinary Nigerians to bear the consequences.
“A responsible government would have prepared citizens with cushioning mechanisms. Instead, this administration removed the subsidy and left the Nigerian worker to drown,” he stated.
Atiku also questioned the utilisation of funds saved from the subsidy removal, alleging that the benefits have not translated into improved living conditions for citizens. He raised concerns over government spending priorities, particularly referencing large-scale infrastructure projects, which he claimed lacked transparency and direct impact on the populace.
On monetary policy, Atiku faulted the government’s decision to float the naira without sufficient structural support, noting that the resulting depreciation has eroded purchasing power and made essential goods, including medicines, increasingly unaffordable.
“The collapse of the naira has wiped out whatever income gains workers had,” he said, adding that businesses dependent on imports have either downsized or shut down, worsening unemployment.
He further criticised ongoing tax reforms, describing them as burdensome on already struggling citizens. “Increasing taxes during an economic crisis is not fiscal responsibility; it is an act of cruelty,” he argued.
Atiku also expressed concern over rising national debt, stating that increased borrowing has not translated into visible development. “The arithmetic does not add up,” he said, calling for greater transparency and accountability in public finance.
Addressing Nigerian workers directly, he acknowledged their resilience amid economic hardship, insisting that their struggles are the result of policy decisions rather than personal failings.
“They voted for hope, not impoverishment,” he said, urging a shift towards people-centred governance.
He called for a renewed national focus on economic reforms that prioritise job creation, social protection, and improved living standards, stressing that Nigeria’s resources must be deployed for the benefit of all citizens.
