Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, saying they have made life increasingly expensive for Nigerians.

Atiku said he would pursue policies aimed at reducing the cost of living and making the country more affordable if elected president in the 2027 election.

His position comes amid his sustained criticism of the Tinubu administration over the removal of the petrol subsidy and the resulting increases in fuel, transportation and food prices.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that Nigerians were experiencing the effects of the economic reforms in their daily lives, despite government efforts to highlight improvements in some economic indicators.

The former vice president said the increase in the price of petrol had raised transportation and production costs, while households and businesses were also dealing with higher food and operating expenses.

He proposed increased support for domestic production and refining as part of his approach to lowering costs, arguing that greater local production could reduce dependence on imported products and put more money back into the pockets of Nigerians.

Atiku has also criticised the Federal Government’s response to rising living costs, saying Nigerians need tangible relief rather than appeals for patience.

His comments form part of the emerging economic debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the cost of living, fuel prices, domestic production and the direction of economic reforms expected to remain major issues in the political contest.

The Tinubu administration has defended its reforms as necessary measures to address long-standing structural problems in the Nigerian economy, while government officials have pointed to changes in key economic indicators as evidence of progress.

Atiku, however, maintains that the effect of economic policies should ultimately be measured by their impact on households, workers and businesses.