Nigeria at 65: Atiku’s Aide Slams Tinubu’s Independence Speech as “Empty Promises Amid Harsh Realities”

President Bola Tinubu’s 65th Independence Day address has sparked sharp criticism from the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, with his aide Phrank Shaibu dismissing the president’s claims of progress as “empty rhetoric divorced from the daily struggles of Nigerians.”

In a strongly worded statement released shortly after Tinubu’s national broadcast on Wednesday, Shaibu accused the administration of painting a false picture of resilience and reform while citizens grapple with hunger, insecurity and economic despair.

“The yam may be plentiful, but if the pot is empty, the stomach still rumbles. Today, Nigeria’s pot is not only empty but cracked, and the people remain hungry,” Shaibu declared.

Tinubu’s optimism vs citizens’ reality

During his broadcast, Tinubu celebrated improvements in schools, hospitals, and economic reforms, urging citizens to embrace “Nigeria first.” But Shaibu countered with biting proverbs, arguing that the government’s claims were hollow.

“A man who builds many huts without roofs has only built shade for goats,” he said, noting that pupils still learn on bare floors while patients bring candles and drugs before treatment.

He further described Nigerians’ daily struggle as “grim,” pointing to skyrocketing food prices, rising transport fares and shrinking wages that have left millions unable to afford a single meal.

Security under scrutiny

Shaibu also criticised Tinubu’s praise for the armed forces, saying citizens remain unsafe as banditry, kidnapping and robbery continue unabated. He referenced the killing of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a young Arise TV news anchor, in a robbery attack this week as evidence that “no one — not even the voices that bring us the news — is safe in today’s Nigeria.”

Reform seeds or bitter fruit?

While Tinubu insists reforms will yield long-term benefits, the opposition argues the fruits remain bitter. “If these are the seeds of reforms, then the fruit is still bitter. When the roof is on fire, it is folly to declare the rain has quenched it,” Shaibu wrote.

The clash underscores a deepening divide between government optimism and the lived experiences of citizens, highlighting the political tension shaping Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.