By Erewunmi Peace

The Presidency has dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent warning that Nigeria risks social unrest due to rising poverty and hunger, saying the opposition leader is “out of touch with the authentic Nigerian reality.”

Atiku had compared Nigeria’s current economic hardship to historical revolutions, warning that the level of suffering among citizens could trigger mass unrest similar to the French and Russian revolutions.

Reacting on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Atiku’s comments as “misleading” and politically motivated. He stressed that Nigeria’s economic indicators show gradual recovery under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to Onanuga, headline inflation has declined for five consecutive months up to August 2025, while the country recorded a trade surplus and foreign reserves climbed to nearly $42 billion. He added that arrears owed to airlines and other stakeholders had been cleared, while government revenue had increased significantly.

The Presidency accused Atiku of deliberately ignoring these gains in order to score political points, insisting that the Tinubu administration is steadily addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, has repeatedly criticized government policies, insisting that Nigerians are yet to feel any real relief from hardship.

Political analysts note that the latest exchange highlights the growing tension between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition, especially as Nigerians continue to grapple with high living costs despite signs of economic stabilization.