Former vice-president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of worsening poverty in Nigeria since assuming office in 2023.

Atiku made the allegation while delivering a state-of-the-nation broadcast at the party’s secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, as the country marked its 66th Independence Day anniversary.

He cited rising insecurity and the cost of living as failures of the administration, while also faulting Tinubu’s assertion that the economy had stabilised, describing the claim as far removed from the reality on the ground.

President Tinubu, in his October 1 address to Nigerians, said the various economic reforms introduced by his administration were beginning to translate into “prosperity”.

Atiku, however, said that at 66, the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had taken Nigeria “deeper into poverty, far from the dreams of the founding fathers”.

He urged citizens not to despair, saying the 2027 election would provide them with an opportunity to elect a leader capable of driving the country towards prosperity.

The ADC presidential candidate also called for the immediate release of individuals he described as having been “unlawfully” detained.

He further appealed to the electorate to come out and vote, while warning against what he described as propaganda suggesting that the ruling party had already predetermined the results of the 2027 election.