Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned President Bola Tinubu that distributing food items to Nigerians will not be enough to win public trust ahead of future elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku reacted to the federal government’s ongoing relief initiatives, arguing that while such gestures may provide short-term comfort, they cannot substitute for genuine voter confidence.
He emphasised that items like rice, spaghetti, and noodles may ease immediate hardship but would not translate into electoral legitimacy when Nigerians head to the polls.
Beyond economic concerns, Atiku expressed unease over what he described as a shifting political environment.
According to him, the current administration appears to be consolidating power in a way that limits space for opposition voices.
He pointed out that despite a growing number of governors aligning with the ruling party, there are underlying signs of anxiety about political competition and voter sentiment.
In his view, the increasing control of key institutions has not inspired confidence but has instead heightened concerns about the state of democracy.
Atiku further alleged that recent political developments indicate efforts to weaken opposition parties through internal divisions and legal battles.
He criticised what he sees as the deployment of state power against political rivals, including the use of legal actions and detentions that raise questions about fairness and transparency.
He warned that if such trends persist, Nigeria risks drifting toward a system where elections continue to hold in form but lack genuine competition in substance.
Reiterating the importance of democratic principles, the former presidential candidate stressed that leadership must emerge from the free will of the people, not through pressure on institutions or the suppression of dissenting voices.
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He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant as the next general elections approach, insisting that citizens must be allowed to choose their leaders in a truly open and credible process.