As reported by Vanguard News, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Saturday expressed concern over the worsening poverty and governance issues facing Nigeria, affirming their commitment to restoring the country’s fortunes.
Both leaders made these remarks in Abuja during the 60th birthday lecture of former Minister of Transportation and one-time Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
The lecture, themed “Weaponising Poverty in Nigeria”, brought together influential figures who voiced deep worries about the nation’s direction.
In his speech, Atiku accused the current government of intentionally using poverty as a tool for political control.
“This particular government is weaponising poverty,” Atiku asserted.
He, however, noted that he and like-minded political leaders are united in a mission to salvage the country from its current state.
“We are in an alliance to ensure we don’t allow this trend to continue,” he said.
Atiku painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s present conditions, comparing them to the economic vibrancy of previous decades.
He said, “When I was growing up in the North, Kano was the most prosperous state. After secondary school, I moved there and never saw people sleeping on the streets.”
But according to him, the situation has drastically changed, with many now forced to live under bridges and on the streets due to rising poverty and insecurity.
He further alleged that the Kano State Government’s attempts to clear destitute people off the streets were blocked following instructions from higher authorities.
“There is an agency in Kano meant to support these individuals. They began working—educating people and relocating them from under bridges and open streets. But they were summoned to Abuja and ordered to stop,” Atiku claimed.
He stressed his resolve to push back against this development.
“You can call me a conspirator or anything, but this is why we’ve formed an alliance—to stop the continued use of poverty as a political weapon. One of our key allies in this effort is Rotimi Amaechi,” Atiku said.
He added, “We will keep working with you to tackle poverty and ensure that government power is not used to deepen the people’s suffering.”
Echoing similar concerns, El-Rufai warned that the country was experiencing its most severe crisis since its unification.
“Nigeria is in its worst shape since 1914. That’s why we’re joining forces and building a coalition to put the country back on course,” El-Rufai said.
However, he offered a slightly different perspective from Atiku’s, arguing that poverty was more a result of poor leadership than deliberate sabotage.
“In this country, we often entrust leadership to people who lack the competence to lead. They grab power but are clueless about how to use it. Wherever you find progress in Nigeria, it’s because capable hands were given the reins,” El-Rufai stated.
He called on citizens to choose wisely in the 2027 general elections.
“Our biggest challenge is selecting leaders who have the skills, vision, and dedication to move Nigeria forward,” he added.
Offering a divergent viewpoint, Amaechi argued that the real problem lies not with Nigeria’s leaders but with its citizens.
“Our leaders and elites are not Nigeria’s problem. The real issue is the people. No leader actually cares about you because they know you won’t react,” Amaechi remarked.
He pointed to past protests as an example, saying, “You protested, and in response, the president raised fuel prices—because you won’t do anything.”
Lamenting the country’s stagnation and public indifference, Amaechi declared, “We have no interest in moving this country forward. If you’re not ashamed, I am.”
He ended with a reflective question: “When I look at Nigeria, I ask myself, what are we really doing here? Do we even want to be a country?”
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