African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has launched a harsh attack on President Bola Tinubu, rejecting the president's biblical comparison of fuel subsidy removal to Moses refusing to return to Egypt.

The reaction follows President Tinubu's recent address, where he defended the removal of fuel subsidy, likening any return to the former pricing structure to asking the biblical Moses to return to captivity in Egypt.

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the former vice president accused President Tinubu of being out of touch with the economic realities facing ordinary citizens.

"Bola, you are the Egypt Nigerians are desperate to escape. You celebrate the day you made fuel more expensive, then lecture families struggling to pay for food and transport about why they must never go back," Atiku stated.

The opposition candidate accused the President of recounting the subsidy removal like a triumph while ignoring the widespread hunger and rising transport costs across the country.

"A mother trying to feed her children cannot pay for food with a metaphor. A worker cannot get to work on a story about the Red Sea. Nigerians are asking how you intend to make life affordable. Answer them," Atiku added.

Outlining his alternative economic approach, Atiku proposed providing targeted and budgeted support exclusively for petroleum products refined within Nigeria, while excluding imported fuel from any financial relief mechanisms.

Beyond economic issues, the former Vice President challenged the administration's security record, rejecting claims from the President's camp that current security challenges should be blamed on past governments.

He cited late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua as an example of a civilian leader who effectively tackled national security threats.

Atiku also raised concerns over police welfare, revealing that a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police disclosed receiving only ₦29,000 monthly in pension payouts.

He called on the administration to review police salaries and sign the Police Exit Bill into law to protect serving and retired officers.

"Stop pointing to Egypt as though it lies behind us. For millions of Nigerians, Egypt is the hunger, fear and indignity they are living through under you," Atiku concluded.


ID