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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp rebuke against the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the release of its revised Presidential Campaign Council list, characterizing the expanded structure as a clear sign of anxiety within the ruling administration.
In a detailed statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, the former vice-president asserted that assembling a large coalition of political heavyweights demonstrates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reluctance to defend his governance record directly to the electorate.
Addressing the composition of the governing party’s updated campaign machinery, Atiku observed, Only a man afraid of his record would think he could bury it under hundreds of names. Tinubu can gather every governor, minister and political defector in Nigeria. None of them can erase the hunger in people’s homes, bring back those killed by violence or free Nigerians still held captive. Their families are waiting for answers, not another campaign list.
The presidential candidate further criticized the government’s economic priorities, alleging that the ruling party has focused on building political alliances while asking citizens to endure severe financial pressure.
Critiquing the contrast between official expenditure and public economic conditions, he declared, Tinubu has room for an army of ministers and a stadium full of campaign officials, but no room in his plans for Nigerians crushed by the cost of living. He feeds his political machine and tells hungry families to sacrifice.
The opposition leader also condemned the decision to conduct the campaign council’s official inauguration within the Presidential Villa in Abuja, arguing that state facilities should remain strictly separated from partisan political functions.
Challenging the choice of venue, Atiku stated, The Presidential Villa belongs to the Nigerian people. It is not a campaign venue or the private property of any political party. Using it for an APC political event is a gross breach of public trust and a troubling abuse of public office.
Commenting on the ruling party’s strategy of broadening its list to include figures from various political backgrounds, Atiku maintained that expanding the campaign council would fail to shield the administration from public evaluation regarding living costs and security challenges.
Expressing skepticism over the impact of high-profile political recruitments, he noted, When the first list drew criticism, Tinubu had a chance to show that he understood the country’s anger. Instead, he returned with an even longer list, reaching into other parties for more names. He is collecting politicians like shields against public judgment.
Comparing the APC’s expansive structure to his own platform’s strategy, Atiku emphasized that the ADC remains committed to a direct engagement model focused on public welfare and economic recovery.
Dismissing the influence of political endorsements on daily economic realities, he remarked, No campaign council, however crowded, can make food affordable, restore a worker’s purchasing power or explain why the sacrifices demanded of ordinary Nigerians never seem to reach Tinubu’s own political circle.
Looking ahead to the upcoming presidential election, the ADC candidate stressed that voters will ultimately base their decisions at the polls on their personal economic and security experiences rather than party campaign structures.
Concluding his statement on the decisive nature of the vote, Atiku affirmed, On January 16, the ballot will contain no column for the size of a campaign council. Nigerians will judge Tinubu by the lives they have lived under his government.
Reiterating that political endorsements cannot substitute for policy outcomes, he added, Tinubu can surround himself with every political heavyweight in Nigeria; on election day, he will still face the people who lived through his failures and their list is much longer.
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