Atiku blasts Tinubu’s France trip, says Nigeria is in crisis

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu following his recent trip to France, describing the current state of affairs in Nigeria as a “full-blown state of emergency.”

In a statement issued by his media office on Tuesday, Atiku questioned the rationale behind President Tinubu’s overseas visit amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship at home. He accused the President of abandoning his responsibilities and engaging in wasteful foreign trips at the expense of a suffering population.

“While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos,” the statement read. “Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks. Benue is bleeding. Boko Haram is seizing territory. And every single day, Nigerians sink deeper into poverty, insecurity, and despair.”

The trip, described by the presidency as a “working visit,” has sparked backlash, with Atiku stating that there is no justification for Tinubu’s presence abroad while the nation grapples with mounting crises.

He noted that since assuming office, Tinubu has spent a total of 59 days in France — a statistic he claims reflects neglect and disregard for the people.

“At this point, Nigerians are not just frustrated; they are insulted,” the statement continued. “This isn’t just negligence. It’s dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale.”

Atiku also referenced the President’s recent political moves, questioning Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State while, in his view, ignoring a broader national collapse.

“Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency. Not a contrived political emergency like what Tinubu declared in Rivers for partisan gain — this is a national collapse. So, when exactly will Tinubu declare a state of emergency on his own disastrous presidency?”