RismadarVoice Reporters
October 1, 2026
African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address grievances surrounding the case of Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu and provide answers over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria.
Atiku made the call on Thursday while delivering a State of the Nation address in Abuja to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
The former vice president said the rule of law and due process should be applied fairly in cases involving citizens, regardless of their political or social standing.
He questioned the circumstances surrounding the continued detention of El-Rufai and Sheikh Zaria, saying authorities should provide answers concerning due process.
On Kanu, Atiku said the IPOB leader’s right to pursue a lawful appeal following his conviction should be respected, while the wider grievances and divisions surrounding his case should also be addressed.
Atiku also renewed his call for the release of five young Nigerians reportedly arrested in Borno State after wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go,” arguing that expressing a political opinion should not, by itself, result in imprisonment.
The ADC presidential candidate also used the address to criticise the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy and the rising cost of living.
He challenged the government’s description of Nigeria as moving from economic reforms towards prosperity, arguing that improvements in economic indicators should translate into greater purchasing power and better living conditions for households.
Atiku also criticised the extension of the implementation period of the 2025 federal budget to December 31, 2026.
President Tinubu signed the Appropriation (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill, 2025, into law on September 30, extending the implementation period from September 30 to December 31, 2026, following its passage by the National Assembly.
Atiku argued that overlapping budget cycles could make it more difficult for citizens to track government expenditure, completed projects and outstanding obligations.
He also demanded greater transparency in the Federal Government’s cash-transfer programme, questioning claims concerning the number of Nigerians who had received ₦75,000 in assistance and calling for clearer records of beneficiaries and payments.
The former vice president further called for greater disclosure of government borrowing and contracting, arguing that Nigerians should be able to determine how previous loans were used and what projects they financed.
On petrol pricing, Atiku reiterated his proposal for what he described as a capped and budgeted production subsidy tied to verified petrol refined in Nigeria.
Under the proposal, imported petrol would not qualify for the intervention, while the programme would operate within a predetermined spending limit and be subject to independent auditing.
The proposal has generated political debate, with the Tinubu administration and the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council questioning its legal, fiscal and practical implications.
Atiku also challenged the Federal Government over its promise to reduce transportation costs and called for clearer evidence of the impact on commuters.
The Federal Government has said its National Affordable CNG Transit Programme is intended to reduce transportation costs through increased deployment of compressed natural gas and electric vehicles across the country.
On security, Atiku said government performance should be assessed partly on its ability to protect lives and create conditions in which Nigerians can safely live and work.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, Atiku pledged that an administration led by him would respect the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission and support the prompt publication of polling-unit results.
He also promised enforcement against vote-buying and electoral manipulation regardless of political affiliation.
