Atiku says current hardship is no accident, accusing the FG of using poverty to control and silence citizens.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the federal government of deliberately using poverty as a political tool.
Speaking in Abuja at the 60th birthday lecture of ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, themed “Weaponising Poverty in Nigeria”, Atiku declared, “This particular government is weaponising poverty.”
He recounted past prosperity in Kano, contrasting it with today’s scenes of people sleeping under bridges due to poverty and insecurity.
“They were called to Abuja and they were told to stop it,” he said of efforts to support the homeless.
Atiku pledged to resist the trend, saying, “We will continue to conspire… to minimise poverty.”
Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai disagreed slightly, stating, “Poverty weaponises itself if allowed to fester.” He blamed persistent leadership failures, urging voters to choose competence in 2027.
Amaechi blamed Nigerians for enabling poor governance.
“No Nigerian leader cares for you because you will do nothing,” he said, adding, “We don’t want to move the country forward.”