Opposition Leaders Slam Tinubu Over Rising Poverty, Vow to Stop His 2027 Re-Election Bid
ATIKU, El-RUFAI, AMECHI, Slam Tinubu Over Rising Poverty, Vow to Stop His 2027 Re-Election Bid
In a fiery political gathering that doubled as a birthday lecture for former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
Three major opposition figures, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Amaechi himself, took turns berating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over Nigeria’s deepening insecurity, poverty, and hunger.
The trio declared a united front to stop Tinubu’s second-term ambition in 2027, accusing his administration of using poverty as a political weapon.
Themed “Weaponization of Poverty as a Means of Underdevelopment: A Case Study of Nigeria,” the public lecture, which marked Amaechi’s 60th birthday, became a political boiling point where opposition leaders called for unity, strategy, and urgent change.
Atiku | This Government Is Using Poverty as a Political Weapon
Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar came out swinging, accusing the Tinubu-led government of deliberately weaponizing poverty to control the population.
“What we are experiencing in Nigeria today is state-sanctioned poverty,” Atiku said. “It is being used to suppress the people, to control them politically.”
Atiku, visibly emotional, shared a personal anecdote about how prosperous Kano used to be during his youth and how it has now become a symbol of economic decay.
“I was shocked to see people sleeping under bridges and shop fronts. These are signs of a broken society. A state agency tried to assist, but was ordered to stop. Why? Because poverty now serves political ends.”
Amaechi | “We’re All Hungry, Hunger Has No Tribe”
Amaechi didn’t hold back either. Lamenting the state of the nation, he declared that both elites and everyday citizens are victims of the current economic climate.
“We’re all hungry. If you’re not hungry, I am,” Amaechi said bluntly. “This government has made Nigerians poorer, and that fuels the growing insecurity and crime.”
Calling for collective action from the opposition, he stressed the importance of unity and national interest over personal ambition.
“We need to submit ourselves to the nation’s interest. The power to remove bad leadership isn’t in the hands of politicians, it lies with the people.”
He also took a jab at ethnic and religious politics, which he blamed for Tinubu’s rise.
“I told Tinubu directly, I will not support you because I don’t believe you have the capacity to lead. And I didn’t. Some voted on emotion, not merit, and here we are.”
El-Rufai | Nigeria Has Never Had It Worse
Former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai delivered perhaps the most damning assessment of all.
“Nigeria is in its worst condition since 1914. The country is completely off-track,” he said.
He likened the current leadership to “urban bandits,” not criminals in the bush, but power-hungry politicians with no vision.
“We’ve handed over our future to people who know how to grab power but not govern. It’s time to elect people with competence, capability, capacity, and commitment.”
Soyinka Salutes Amaechi’s Political Grit
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka made a rare appearance, offering a symbolic endorsement of Amaechi’s resilience.
He recounted watching the 2022 APC presidential primaries live from abroad and being impressed by Amaechi’s refusal to step down for Tinubu.
“It gave me mischievous pleasure to see Amaechi refuse to back down. That’s what democracy is all about,” Soyinka said, likening it to Tinubu’s own rebellion during the Obasanjo era.
Sanusi | Poverty Is Deeper Than We Know
Former CBN Governor and current Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, added gravitas to the discussion, stating that the elite are largely clueless about real poverty.
“As CBN Governor, I saw data. But as Emir, I saw reality,” he said. “People in rural areas drink from dirty ponds, study under leaking roofs, and live in hopelessness. Do we love our people, or just love ruling them?”
He criticized skewed priorities, pointing to massive infrastructure projects in cities while rural clinics and schools remain dilapidated.
Senator Dickson | Shine Your Eyes This Time
Former Bayelsa Governor and serving Senator Seriake Dickson offered a cautionary reminder.
Praising the effort to build an opposition coalition, he also urged vigilance and sincerity.
“You’ve done this before in 2015. You built a coalition and removed a ‘clueless government’. But here we are 11 years later, complaining again. This time, shine your eyes. Learn from the past.”
APC Responds | Opposition Is Bitter and Unfit
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) swiftly fired back.
In a phone interview, APC National Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim dismissed the opposition’s claims as emotionally charged and politically driven.
“These are people with personal grudges. Their judgment is clouded. President Tinubu is reforming the country, and reforms always come with resistance.”
He argued that the president’s reforms will ultimately benefit the larger population, despite the discomfort of a few.
Efforts to get a formal response from the presidency were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Coalition in Motion, But Will It Stick?
This rare convergence of heavyweight political voices signals the early formation of a broad opposition front ahead of 2027.
But while the rhetoric is fiery, the real test lies in action.
Can these opposition figures unite beyond words and truly present a credible alternative?
As Nigerians continue to grapple with rising costs, joblessness, and security concerns, 2027 may shape up to be a pivotal moment, not just for ballots, but for the soul of the nation.
