The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-governors Rotimi Amaechi and Nasiru El-Rufai for what it described as unfounded claims about the Tinubu administration weaponising poverty.

The criticism followed remarks by the three opposition figures who, over the weekend, alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has failed to reduce poverty in the past two years.

The comments were made during Amaechi’s 60th birthday celebration in Abuja. Amaechi previously served as Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.

Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary, dismissed their claims as unfounded. He said the trio had more than two decades in leadership positions but failed to achieve the same progress recorded in just two years under President Tinubu.

In his statement, Morka said instead of celebrating the birthday, the trio, whom he called “leading displaced rent-seekers”, used the event to expose their overwhelming desire to regain power for personal benefit.

“These three individuals have occupied Nigeria’s highest political offices between 1999 and 2023, either as vice president, governors, or ministers, among other important positions.”

“In all 24 years, the trio, individually or collectively, could not and did not eradicate poverty in their states or the country. They did not even attempt to address, let alone tackle, the structural challenges and distortions that stifled the economy and worsened poverty over the years.”

“Rather, they reveled in mindless rent-seeking behavior, sold national assets to their cronies for mere pittance, engaged in corrupt and wasteful expenditures in their states, and relentlessly sponsored state violence against their own people.”

Morka pointed to Amaechi’s extensive political career, highlighting that he served for 24 straight years—eight years each as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of Rivers State, and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That’s about a quarter of a century of freeloading by Amaechi on state resources, with absolutely no record of attempting to combat poverty in his Rivers State or the country.”

“When Amaechi declared, ‘I am hungry,’ he must mean, and must be understood to mean, that he is hungry and desperate to return to his felt entitled dependency on state resources and patronage.”

“That he is hungry barely two years out of office simply underscores the depth of the self-serving motivations of Amaechi and his coalition partners in their quest for power for selfish exploitation, and not for the interest of the people.”

Morka stated that the accusations made by Amaechi and his associates stem from their inability to adjust to a reformed economy they had once exploited.

He explained: “Accustomed to fleecing the economy, they are now compelled by Tinubu’s unprecedented reforms to adapt to a new reality where hard work, productivity, and innovation are rewarded.”

“Their criticisms of President Tinubu’s reforms are decidedly self-serving, driven by a desperate quest for power to satiate their voracious rent-seeking appetite, which has long stifled and denied progress to the economy.”

“On contrary, it was the failure of previous administrations, particularly 16 years of PDP administrations, to allow the Naira to find its real value that created the economic conditions of poverty that the present administration is now addressing.”

“The erstwhile artificially overvalued Naira stifled local production, encouraged import dependency, and exacerbated poverty. Ironically, Atiku and Peter Obi, who are now vociferously criticizing President Tinubu’s policies, amassed their wealth from the very import-dependent system they are desperately trying to preserve.”

“Atiku, a former Custom Officer and Obi, a successful importer, reaped enormous benefits from the old system. Their criticisms reek of special interest masqueraded as concern for the people. By allowing market forces to determine the Naira’s value, the administration is taking necessary bold steps to catalyze economic growth, incentivize investment, boost competitiveness, and alleviate poverty.”

The APC praised President Tinubu’s determination to break through longstanding economic challenges, saying no other Nigerian leader in recent history has shown such political will.

“By his bold economic reforms, President Tinubu is systematically building the most potent bulwark against poverty and positioning the economy to deliver sustained and sustainable growth and prosperity for all Nigerians.”

“The criticisms variously leveled by Amaechi, Atiku, El-Rufai and Peter Obi mask a shameless attempt to perpetuate and cling to the old rent-seeking economy that enriched them at the expense of the Nigerian people.”

“As beneficiaries of the corrupt and inefficient economic system, they are discomforted that Tinubu’s reforms are dismantling the insidious and permissive system that enabled and sustained their reckless plunder and exploitation of the economy.”

The party emphasized that those who contribute productively to the economy are seeing results, in contrast to those who thrived by exploiting the system.

“Entrepreneurs, farmers, and service providers are thriving, while rent-seekers like Amaechi and his coalition partners are left seething with rage at the disruption of their ability to milk the system for personal gain as before.”

“The removal of fuel subsidy has been a game-changer. It ended massive corruption that plagued the fuel subsidy enterprise, eliminated perennial shortages and queues at petrol stations, and has sparked a surge in investments in the oil and gas and other sectors of the economy, further expanding opportunities for businesses and individuals.”

“The harmonization of multiple exchange rates has further bolstered Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market for goods and capital. With increased revenue, the federal, state, and local governments are now investing more in critical infrastructure, education, health, security, and social welfare.”

“Importantly, states that previously struggled to pay N30, 000 minimum wage are now paying a significantly higher minimum wage of N70,000 per month. This is a testament to the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians.”

“The President’s reforms are dawning a new day for Nigeria, now witnessing economic transformation never before seen in our country’s history, driven by proper pricing of the Naira and fuel, and steadily transitioning the country from a consumption-laden to a production-oriented economic powerhouse.”

“Our trade balances are seeing a drastic improvement, with a sharp decline in imports and a steep rise in exports, reporting impressive trade surpluses and economic growth rate of 4.6 per cent in the last quarter of 2024, representing the highest growth rate in a decade, amid significant decline in global price of crude oil.”

“This turnaround is a direct testament to the government’s steadfast efforts to promote local production, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification, ultimately paving the way for a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous economy.”

“Indications of a steadily rebounding economy are now manifest in all sectors of the economy. Local industries are booming, and our reliance on imports is plummeting. The Dangote Refinery is revolutionising the market with its products in Nigeria, while manufacturers in the South East are producing top-notch products in unprecedented quantities, generating thousands of jobs and stimulating economic growth. This progress is a monumental step towards achieving food security, industrialization, and sustainable economic growth.”

“President Tinubu has genuinely prioritized the best interest of Nigerians over any political electoral calculation. The administration’s reforms may have transient higher cost of living implications challenges, but they are indispensable to securing a more sustainable economy that rewards hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”

The APC concluded by assuring Nigerians that the President would not allow political distractions from those they called “selfish partisan rambling of some hardened political opportunists and economic exploiters” to derail his vision.

“The best strategic interest of our economy and the good people of Nigeria must continue to trump any and all political or electoral calculations.”

Recent developments from the ongoing opposition alliance—led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi—indicate that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, is being considered as a possible consensus presidential candidate.

This move reportedly stems from increasing unease over Obi’s determination to run again with his 2023 running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Amaechi, who turned 60 on May 27, is believed to have quietly gauged support for a presidential run during a commemorative lecture held in his honour. At the event, he shared that he had informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of his decision not to support his 2023 bid, expressing doubts about Tinubu’s ability to unite the country. Amaechi stated that recent national events have validated his concerns.

An insider from the coalition’s steering group told The Guardian that the birthday lecture, titled “Weaponising Hunger,” was kept exclusive due to its sensitive political context. The source also mentioned that while negotiations are ongoing to convince Atiku to step aside for the 2027 race, Obi remains resolute about running again with Baba-Ahmed.

“With time running out, and both Atiku and Obi showing no signs of backing down, some of us believe we need a third option,” the source said. “Amaechi, who came second in the APC presidential primaries, is seen as a viable alternative with broad appeal.”

The source further noted that allies of former President Muhammadu Buhari within the APC appear to favour Amaechi over Atiku and Obi. It was also suggested that Amaechi might agree to serve only one term, in line with the single-term promises reportedly made by both Atiku and Obi.

Meanwhile, Dr. Umar Ardo, a co-convener of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), confirmed that discussions are underway to establish a new political party as a neutral ground for the coalition.

He dismissed claims that the proposed party is intended to boost Atiku’s presidential ambitions.

Ardo, who contested the 2023 Adamawa governorship election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), advised against merging into established parties like the SDP or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing structural issues and potential interference from those currently in power.

“There are existing structures in these parties that could be compromised. Creating a new platform ensures that we control the momentum and avoid systemic sabotage,” he argued.

Addressing the deadlock between Atiku and Obi, Ardo admitted that Atiku prefers operating within existing political platforms, but maintained that his own support for a new party does not imply endorsement of Atiku’s candidacy.

Political commentator and coalition member Dr. Katch Ononuju also spoke, insisting that Obi’s right to run in 2027 must be upheld for the coalition to remain united.

If the coalition manages to register a new political party—tentatively named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA)—analysts will be watching closely to see whether Atiku and Obi launch separate campaigns under the SDP and ADC respectively, while Amaechi could potentially emerge as the ADA’s presidential candidate.

Former Abia State Governor and current senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has claimed that certain individuals among Nigeria’s political elite are supporting Boko Haram in an effort to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s government.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Kalu alleged that the renewed activities of the terrorist group were being driven by political motives, with powerful figures using it as a means to pursue their interests.

“The political class is behind Boko Haram. They are using terrorism as a tool to fight Tinubu, just like they did with past administrations,” Kalu asserted.

When asked to clarify what he meant by the “political class,” Kalu pointed to politicians, influential business figures, and senior civil servants.

“People in the political class are the ones fuelling Boko Haram. This is a political war. Some of them aren’t after money—they’re after power. They want to tear down the system just to grab control, and that’s not how power should be acquired,” he said.

Kalu stated that Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges are a result of intentional actions by those dissatisfied with how the country is currently being governed.

“The insecurity in Nigeria is politically induced. These individuals—politicians, businessmen, civil servants—are not just seeking financial gain. They’re looking to hijack political power,” he added.

He rounded off by encouraging Nigerians to show patriotism and unity, stressing that efforts should be focused on building up the country rather than causing harm for personal advantage.

“If we consider ourselves friends and patriots, we should care about the ordinary Nigerian. We must work together to build a better country,” he urged.

Kalu’s remarks followed a deadly incident in which nine passengers lost their lives due to an improvised explosive device attack carried out by Boko Haram in Mairari Village, located in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the attack and described the act as “inhumane.” He also appealed to the military to increase its efforts to retake Guzamala from Boko Haram control.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, also raised alarms about the recent increase in terrorist activities within the state.