The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have strongly criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for describing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s warning on worsening hunger as an incitement to rebellion.
The APC had earlier branded Atiku’s remarks as “reckless, irresponsible and a tacit instigation of revolution,” accusing him of deliberately fuelling unrest to destabilise the Tinubu administration.
But the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed the ruling party’s position, insisting that Atiku only fulfilled his duty as an elder statesman by calling government attention to the realities of hunger in Nigeria.
Johnson said, “I do not think Atiku would be involved in inciting the Nigerian citizenry. As an elder statesman, I trust that he will not go that far. However, statesmen, when need be, must be bold enough to stand up and speak truth to power. They must be bold enough to tell the country what the situation is, where things are lacking, and where improvement is needed.”
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He added, “If one says that there is hunger in the land and people are suffering, I do not think that has gone too far. If someone is warning the government to please do something, it is just a warning. It is not a call to arms.”
The PDP also defended Atiku, accusing the APC of shielding itself from criticism while ordinary Nigerians struggle with rising costs.
Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, stated, “All Atiku actually did was give voice to the thoughts of millions of Nigerians who can hardly afford two meals a day. It is shameful and painful that those entrusted with public finances behave as though they live in isolation from the realities around them.”
Osadolor warned that the cost of living has become unbearable, stressing that the government should stop vilifying critics and instead take urgent action. “If they are very confident they have done well, let them withdraw the hundreds of policemen guarding them and walk freely among the people. Then we will know if the people are truly happy with them,” he said.
Atiku, who contested against President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election, had cautioned that Nigeria’s economic hardship could trigger mass anger similar to the French and Russian revolutions if left unchecked.
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