By Destiny Obinna
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the grievances surrounding the case of convicted separatist leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and explain the continued detention of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria and former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.
Atiku, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the call on Thursday in Abuja during his Independence Day address, where he accused the Tinubu administration of taking Nigeria further away from the vision of its founding fathers.
He also criticised the extension of the 2025 budget to December 31, 2026, and demanded accountability over government spending, cash transfers and outstanding payments to contractors and workers.
On the continued detention of El-Rufai and Sheikh Zaria, Atiku said the government must explain its actions and ensure that the rule of law is applied fairly.
“The continued detention of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria and Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai raises questions about due process that the authorities must answer,” he said.
On Kanu, he said his right to appeal following his conviction must be respected, while the grievances surrounding his case should be addressed.
The former vice president also renewed his call for the release of five young Nigerians arrested in Borno State for wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.”
“A political slogan on a shirt must never become a reason to imprison a Nigerian,” he said.
Atiku said the economic situation had worsened under Tinubu, leaving many Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities.
He accused the President of relying on promises rather than his record in office, dismissing his recent declaration that the economic emergency was over and a period of prosperity had begun.
“A President may announce a new chapter in a speech. He cannot announce food onto a family’s table or money into a worker’s pocket,” he said.
The ADC chieftain also questioned the decision to extend the 2025 budget into 2026, arguing that the government owed Nigerians an explanation of what had been funded, completed and left unpaid.
He said a budget should serve as a guide for delivering projects rather than being carried over from one year to another without clear accountability.
Atiku further demanded details of the Federal Government’s conditional cash transfer programme following claims by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, that more than 10 million Nigerians received ₦75,000 each.
He questioned how beneficiaries without phones were identified and paid, particularly in insecure areas of Borno and Yobe states.
“If you could find ten million people to pay, you can account for the payments,” he said.
On the rising cost of living, Atiku compared the purchasing power of the minimum wage in 2023 with current prices, arguing that workers could afford less despite the increase in their nominal salaries.
He cited petrol, eggs and bread as examples of commodities whose prices had risen sharply.
He also faulted the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the government failed to put adequate measures in place to protect households from its effects.
Atiku said that if elected, he would introduce a capped and budgeted production subsidy for fuel refined locally, including products from modular refineries.
He added that imported petrol would not qualify and promised that the programme would be independently audited, with its costs made public.
The former vice president also questioned Tinubu’s promise of lower transport fares from October 1.
On public debt, Atiku cited Nigeria’s ₦166.79 trillion debt figure as of June and questioned plans for another $1.5 billion World Bank loan, demanding details of what previous borrowings had achieved.
He also called for the publication of procurement documents relating to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract awarded to Hitech, a company linked to the Chagoury Group.
Atiku demanded transparency in the bidding process, contract award and subsequent variations.
He further called on the Federal Government to settle outstanding payments owed to local contractors, military pensioners and federal workers.
On security, he said government must be able to protect lives and make living conditions affordable.
He also called for an investigation into the stampede at the Niger State Government House, where three people died during a gathering following reports of a proposed ₦10,000 distribution.
Addressing the 2027 general election, Atiku pledged to respect the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), support the prompt publication of polling-unit results and ensure that those involved in vote buying or result manipulation faced the law.
He said his administration, if elected, would allow INEC to operate independently.
Atiku concluded by urging Nigerians to use their votes to determine the country’s political direction, declaring: “Tinubu must go.”
