Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s security, economic, and governance challenges, saying these issues will shape his agenda during an upcoming visit to the United States.
In a statement issued by his media adviser, Atiku said his planned engagements with policy and institutional stakeholders in the U.S. would be driven by what he described as an urgent need to address the country’s deteriorating condition.
“Nigeria is facing a full-blown internal crisis that can no longer be downplayed, politicised, or explained away,” he said.
He pointed to persistent insecurity across several regions, including the North-West and North-East, as well as the Middle Belt, noting that the spread of kidnapping and criminality has worsened the situation nationwide.
“From the ravaging violence in parts of the country to the growing wave of kidnapping, the Nigerian state is steadily losing its grip on its most fundamental responsibility the protection of lives and property,” Atiku stated.
According to him, the situation has evolved beyond isolated incidents into what he termed a systemic failure of governance and security structures.
“Communities are being overrun, livelihoods destroyed, and citizens abandoned to their fate. Any government that cannot guarantee basic security forfeits the moral basis of its mandate,” he added.
On the economy, the former Vice President described the hardship faced by Nigerians as severe and largely avoidable, blaming policy inconsistency and lack of strategic direction.
“Nigerians are not just tired; they are being stretched to the limits of endurance,” he said, citing rising inflation, a weakened currency, and declining purchasing power as key indicators of distress.
He warned that these economic challenges are eroding public confidence and worsening living conditions for millions of citizens.
Atiku also raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, noting that declining trust in governance, accountability, and the electoral process could pose risks to national stability, especially as the country moves closer to another election cycle.
“Any attempt to undermine transparency or manipulate outcomes will carry serious consequences for both unity and legitimacy,” he warned.
Addressing criticism surrounding his planned international engagement, Atiku defended the move, insisting that engaging global stakeholders does not amount to undermining national sovereignty.
“Telling the truth about Nigeria is not unpatriotic. Nigeria does not exist in isolation, and we cannot pretend that our internal challenges have no external implications,” he said.
He maintained that while Nigerians alone have the right to determine their leadership, international partners have a legitimate interest in the country’s stability and democratic health.
“Responsible leadership does not hide from scrutiny; it welcomes it as a pathway to improvement,” he added.
Atiku also directed a message to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for urgent and decisive action to address the country’s challenges.
“Power is not an entitlement but a responsibility. Nigerians expect results, not explanations,” he said, urging the government to reset its priorities and present a credible strategy for tackling insecurity and economic decline.
He further called on citizens to remain actively engaged in governance and hold leaders accountable.
“No nation survives in silence. Real change will not come from outside but from the collective will of its people,” Atiku stated.
The former Vice President concluded that Nigeria is at a critical crossroads, stressing that the decisions taken now will determine the country’s future trajectory.
“The moment demands courage, honesty, and decisive leadership. Anything less would be a disservice to the nation and its future,” he said.