Nigerians bomb Atiku over ‘We are competing with thieves’ remark

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has come under fire on social media after describing the 2027 presidential contest as a battle against “thieves.”

Atiku made the statement while addressing supporters at his residence in Abuja, accusing those in power of stealing the election, the economy and, ultimately, “everything.”

The remark was contained in a video shared on his X account.

The former Vice-President said the opposition was entering the 2027 contest against what he described as a political establishment that had taken control of the country’s political and economic resources.

His comment immediately triggered a wave of reactions on X, with some users questioning his moral authority to accuse political opponents of wrongdoing and others criticising his economic proposals.

One user, @bigbank0125, described Atiku as “419” and argued that the country’s economic realities, including the devaluation of the naira and the higher minimum wage, made it difficult for politicians to fulfil some campaign promises.

The user contrasted Atiku’s promises with those of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, arguing that politicians should first examine government finances and establish what is economically feasible before making commitments to voters.

Another X user, @Alexslowfire, responded sarcastically with “grand theft auto.”

@HarrisonJo35544 questioned whether Atiku himself was in a position to make such accusations, asking whether the former Vice-President was “decent” enough to criticise those he described as thieves.

The backlash became more direct from other users.

@GiftLoaded5000 dismissed the political differences, writing, “You’ll are the same.”

@beet_kon questioned whether Atiku’s criticism was driven by his exclusion from alleged wrongdoing, asking: “Is it because you’re not stealing too? Why are you bitter.”

Another user, @iam_sethpresh, fired back: “See thief dey call person thief.”

@Dospage1 similarly wrote, “Thief calling out his mate.”

Other reactions were mocking rather than accusatory.

@MALIKK said Atiku was “so obsessed with Nigeria,” while @Streetbosspolitickin dismissed the former Vice-President’s comments, writing, “This one don Dey loose him mind.”

@ishola ayorinde also mocked Atiku, writing, “See bale ole talking,” while @Oluwafemi simply responded, “Says another thief.”

The backlash extended beyond the reactions supplied by Atiku’s critics. One social media user, Akinyemi Jones, accused Atiku of involvement in the alleged mismanagement of more than $16 billion meant for power projects and described him as a “thief.” That allegation is the user’s claim and is not established as fact in the reaction itself.

Atiku links ‘thieves’ claim to 2027 battle

Atiku’s comments came as the 2027 political contest gathers momentum, with the ADC candidate increasingly attacking the economic record of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He has criticised the removal of petrol subsidy and argued that the policy has increased hardship through higher fuel, transportation and food costs.

Atiku has also reaffirmed that he would restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, despite comments by his media aide, Paul Ibe, suggesting that an Atiku administration would initially restore the intervention and later phase it out as the economy recovers.

Atiku subsequently disowned that explanation, insisting that the decision to restore subsidy was his own policy position and that Ibe had not been speaking on his authority.

He has since framed his proposal as a targeted subsidy, rather than a return to the former import-based arrangement, arguing that the objective would be to reduce energy and transportation costs and restore Nigerians’ purchasing power.

The subsidy proposal has itself attracted criticism.

Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, accused Atiku of inconsistency, pointing to his previous position during the 2023 campaign that subsidy should be removed. Adebayo argued that Atiku’s current position represented a change from his earlier stance.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has also criticised Atiku’s proposal. Felix Morka, the party’s spokesperson, previously described the subsidy pledge as “desperation of the most pitiful kind.”

The Presidency has likewise challenged the economics of Atiku’s proposal. Otega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital and New Media, estimated that the proposed petrol subsidy could cost Nigeria N19.1 trillion annually, questioning how such an intervention would be financed. That figure is the Presidency’s estimate, not an independently established cost.

Subsidy debate deepens

Atiku’s renewed subsidy pledge comes against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s account of savings generated from the removal of the policy.

Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the reforms generated an estimated N15.8 trillion in subsidy savings for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.

The breakdown provided by the Finance Ministry showed that N5.43 trillion accrued to the Federal Government, N6.52 trillion to states and N3.88 trillion to local governments.

Atiku, however, has questioned what Nigerians have gained from the savings, arguing that the removal of subsidy has not translated into sufficient improvements in living standards. He has maintained that the country’s resources should be used to protect citizens from severe economic hardship.