APC Slams Atiku, Amaechi, El-Rufai Over ‘Weaponising Poverty’ Allegation

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai over recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, describing their claims as baseless and self-serving.

At a gathering in Abuja over the weekend to celebrate Amaechi’s 60th birthday, the three opposition figures accused the Tinubu administration of “weaponising poverty” and failing to address Nigeria’s economic challenges in the last two years.

In a strongly worded response on Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka dismissed the claims, branding the trio as “displaced rent-seekers” who failed to deliver during their combined 24 years in top political offices.

“These three individuals have occupied Nigeria’s highest political offices between 1999 and 2023, either as vice president, governors, or ministers. In all that time, they failed to eradicate poverty or tackle the structural issues weakening the economy,” Morka said.

The party accused the former leaders of exploiting the state for personal gain and lacking any credible track record of economic reform. Citing Amaechi’s 24 years in public office, including stints as speaker, governor, and minister, Morka questioned what he termed the “freeloading” legacy of the ex-governor.

“When Amaechi said ‘I am hungry,’ he wasn’t referring to the plight of the masses — he was expressing desperation to return to government patronage,” Morka stated.

The APC also accused the opposition of resisting reforms aimed at ending an era of economic inefficiency. “Atiku and Peter Obi amassed their wealth through the very import-dependent system President Tinubu is dismantling,” Morka claimed, adding that the current administration’s decision to allow market forces determine the Naira’s value was necessary for long-term growth.

Defending Tinubu’s policies, the APC pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy, harmonization of exchange rates, and rising government revenue as proof of meaningful economic reform. Morka noted that these changes have improved trade balances, attracted investment, and enabled states to increase minimum wage payments — with some now paying as high as N70,000 monthly.

“Entrepreneurs, farmers, and service providers are reaping the benefits of these reforms. Rent-seekers, meanwhile, are furious at the disruption of their old ways of profiting off the state,” the statement read.

Highlighting economic indicators, the party cited a 4.6% GDP growth rate in Q4 2024 — the highest in a decade — as evidence that the economy is rebounding. It also praised local production efforts in the South East and the operational success of the Dangote Refinery as signs of progress.

While acknowledging that some reforms have led to short-term hardship, the APC maintained that Tinubu’s policies are laying the foundation for sustainable growth.

“The administration’s reforms may have caused a temporary rise in the cost of living, but they are critical to building an economy that rewards innovation and hard work,” the party said.

Concluding, Morka said President Tinubu would not be distracted by “selfish partisan ramblings” from those who failed to move the nation forward during their time in power.