Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, alleging that no amount of statistical manipulation can conceal the government’s deteriorating economic performance.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused the administration of using creative accounting and polished public messaging to distort the reality of Nigeria’s economy, emphasizing that the daily hardships faced by citizens directly contradict official claims.

He specifically dismissed statements by government officials defending economic reforms, such as fuel subsidy removal and debt management strategies.

Addressing claims that fuel subsidy savings are being used to reduce inherited debts, Atiku pointed to financial records showing that government exposure to the Central Bank of Nigeria has actually expanded from ₦26.9 trillion in May 2023 to over ₦40.38 trillion. He argued that the administration merely restructured debt by converting Ways and Means advances into treasury bills and bonds rather than paying down its obligations, while simultaneously incurring fresh debts.