Atiku Slams Tinubu’s Revised Campaign Council as ‘Crowded Confession of Fear’

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s revised Presidential Campaign Council, describing its expanded membership as a sign of President Bola Tinubu’s alleged fear of public judgment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku’s position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council. He argued that the growing list of political figures could not shield the President from questions about Nigerians’ economic difficulties and security challenges.

“Only a man afraid of his record would think he could bury it under hundreds of names,” Atiku said, insisting that Nigerians were more concerned about their living conditions than the number of politicians supporting the ruling party.

The former Vice-President also criticised the administration’s handling of the cost of living, arguing that political endorsements and a larger campaign team would not ease the pressure on households. He said Nigerians would judge the President based on food prices, workers’ purchasing power, school fees and the government’s response to insecurity.

Atiku further condemned the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He described the venue as public property that should not be used for party political activities, calling the decision an abuse of public office and a breach of public trust.

Questioning why the inauguration took place at night inside the Villa, Atiku argued that Abuja had other venues suitable for the event. He said a president confident in his record should be prepared to face the public openly and seek another mandate.

The ADC chieftain also compared the expanded campaign council with the size of the Federal Executive Council, accusing Tinubu of bringing more politicians into the campaign structure instead of addressing the country’s challenges. He cited figures he attributed to the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, claiming that multidimensional poverty had increased by 17.9 million Nigerians.

Atiku maintained that the size of the APC campaign council would not determine the outcome of the election. He said the ADC had assembled its own campaign team and intended to focus its message on household hardship, insecurity and the administration’s performance. The allegations and criticisms in the statement represent Atiku’s political position; the supplied account does not include a response from Tinubu or the APC