Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the expansion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council as a “confession of fear”, accusing President Bola Tinubu of focusing on political alliances while Nigerians struggle with rising living costs, insecurity and poverty.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for the ADC presidential campaign council. He argued that increasing the number of political figures supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid would not address the difficulties facing Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Only a man afraid of his record would think he could bury it under hundreds of names,” the statement read.
Atiku accused Tinubu of attempting to strengthen his political position by bringing more governors, ministers and politicians into the campaign structure, insisting that their presence would not erase the effects of economic hardship or resolve the country’s security challenges.
“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,” he said.
The APC initially released its presidential campaign council list on August 22, naming Abdulaziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara State, as director-general. The expanded list includes FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Atiku also criticised the administration for maintaining what he described as an extensive political structure while Nigerians contend with rising prices and declining purchasing power.
“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,” he said.
The former vice-president maintained that expanding the campaign council would not change the daily experiences of Nigerians under the current administration.
He also questioned the decision to inaugurate the APC presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, arguing that the facility belongs to the public and should not be used for partisan political activities.
“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,” Atiku said.
He argued that Abuja had enough alternative venues to accommodate the event and questioned why the inauguration took place at night within the Presidential Villa.
“Abuja has no shortage of halls and public spaces large enough to host a campaign gathering. Why, then, did Bola Tinubu choose to inaugurate his campaign council at night, behind the gates of the Presidential Villa?” he asked.
Atiku said the choice of venue raised questions about the president’s confidence in his record, adding that Nigerians should assess the administration based on their personal experiences.
“Nigerians may draw their own conclusions. But a president confident in his record should be willing to face the public in daylight and ask for another mandate,” he said.
He further accused Tinubu of responding to criticism of the original campaign council list by adding more political figures, including individuals from other parties, rather than addressing public concerns about the administration’s performance.
“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,” Atiku stated.
The ADC presidential candidate also cited a claim that an additional 17.9 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty, linking the figure to the economic and security challenges facing the country.
He argued that a larger campaign council would not make food more affordable, restore workers’ purchasing power or explain why ordinary Nigerians continued to bear the burden of economic sacrifices.
“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,” he said.
Atiku said the ADC had assembled its own campaign team to present Nigerians with an alternative ahead of the 2027 election. He maintained that voters would ultimately judge Tinubu’s re-election bid by their living conditions rather than the number of political figures supporting him.
“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,” he added.
