Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its failure to pay outstanding wage awards owed to federal civil servants, describing the government as callous and economically mismanaged. In a statement released on July 13, 2025, Atiku lamented that despite promises to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal with a ₦35,000 monthly wage award, the government has only paid six months of the ten months owed, leaving workers with four months of unpaid arrears amounting to ₦140,000 per worker.
Atiku condemned the Tinubu administration for taking an excessive 10 months to finalize the new minimum wage figure, calling the delay a broken covenant that has exacerbated the economic hardship Nigerians face. He linked the fuel subsidy removal on Tinubu’s inauguration day to a chain reaction of inflation, hunger, and despair that continues to weigh heavily on the average Nigerian.
Beyond wage issues, Atiku has been vocal in his broader critique of the Tinubu government’s economic policies, accusing it of insensitivity and suppression of democratic freedoms. He has also expressed concerns about rising public debt and fiscal mismanagement, urging Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable.
Politically, Atiku remains a key opposition figure, now aligned with Peter Obi and other leaders in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, aiming to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Analysts view this alliance as a significant opposition force, though internal cohesion remains a challenge.
Atiku’s recent statements underscore growing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of economic and social issues, reinforcing his call for a new path toward good governance and relief for Nigerians amid ongoing hardships.