By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to apologise to Nigerians over the economic difficulties confronting households and provide a comprehensive account of the country’s borrowing since the government assumed office.

Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, made the demand through a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

He questioned why the Federal Government had continued to accumulate debt despite reported increases in government revenue.

According to Atiku, Nigerians should be able to see tangible improvements in their living conditions rather than rely solely on announcements about government revenues, economic growth and allocations.

He pointed to the rising cost of food, transportation and petroleum products as indications of the economic pressure facing citizens.

Atiku also referenced an assessment by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which reported in June 2026 that although Nigeria’s economic reforms had produced improvements in some macroeconomic indicators, difficult conditions persisted for many Nigerians.

He argued that rising fuel and transportation costs, alongside increasing food prices, could place additional pressure on households.

The former vice president further raised concerns about Nigeria’s growing public debt. Citing figures attributed to the Debt Management Office, the report put the country’s total public debt at N166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026.

Atiku consequently asked the Federal Government to publish details of debts inherited from previous administrations, loans obtained since Tinubu took office, repayments made and the country’s outstanding obligations.

He also sought clarification on Treasury Bills and other borrowing arrangements, including the associated debt-servicing costs.

The ADC presidential candidate said the government should explain how the additional revenue and borrowed funds had translated into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

He maintained that economic reforms should ultimately improve citizens’ welfare, arguing that increased government revenue would mean little to households if living standards continued to deteriorate.

Atiku therefore urged the Tinubu administration to reconcile the nation’s borrowing records, account for outstanding financial obligations and provide Nigerians with greater transparency on how public funds have been utilised.

The former vice president also called for an apology to Nigerians over what he described as the hardship resulting from the government’s economic policies.