Atiku Blasts Tinubu Over 638 Deaths In October, Makinde Faults Subsidy Removal

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized President Bola Tinubu over reports that 638 people were killed in insecurity-related incidents in October, while nearly 64,000 Nigerians fled to neighbouring Niger Republic.

 

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the figures exposed the failure of the Tinubu administration to protect Nigerians.

 

According to him, a report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, citing the Centre for Democracy and Development’s October tracker, showed that 638 people were killed in broader insecurity incidents during the month, with the North-East accounting for 409 deaths.

 

“Across all security incidents, the tracker recorded 640 deaths, up from 396 in September. The United Nations also reported that nearly 64,000 people fled violence in northern Nigeria for Niger since the start of 2026, while several hundred more fled to Benin,” he said.

 

“These figures are a devastating indictment of the security situation in our country. Behind every number is a Nigerian whose life has been lost, a family in mourning or a community forced to abandon its home. Nigerians should not have to flee across our borders to find safety,” Atiku said.

 

He called on the administration to prioritize protection of lives, strengthen security in affected areas, support displaced families, and collaborate with neighbouring countries and humanitarian agencies to assist Nigerians who fled.

 

“A government that cannot protect its people has failed in its most basic duty. President Tinubu must stop offering excuses and take responsibility for this worsening crisis. Nigerians need safety now, not another promise,” he added.

 

In a related development, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), also criticized Tinubu over the removal of petrol subsidy, accusing his administration of failing to put adequate measures in place to cushion the hardship.

 

Makinde, in a newsletter explaining his decision to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 election, argued that Tinubu should have used the transition period before May 2023 to develop interventions.

 

He recalled Tinubu’s opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s attempt to remove subsidy in 2012.

 

“After all, President Tinubu cannot honestly say he did not know what the consequences would be. Back in 2012, when President Goodluck Jonathan attempted to remove petrol subsidy, he publicly opposed the abrupt removal, arguing against the hardship it would impose on Nigerians,” Makinde said.

 

He added that Tinubu also witnessed the petrol and naira scarcity crises ahead of the 2023 elections.

 

Makinde said he would have convened the National Economic Council during the transition to develop a coordinated response with governors, identifying interventions, funding sources and federal-state-local collaboration.

 

He contrasted that with steps taken in Oyo State after subsidy removal in May 2023, saying his government consulted organised labour and within eleven days deployed additional Omituntun buses, maintained fares and introduced half-price travel for students and senior citizens.

 

He said the state subsequently launched the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme in August 2023, which provided food relief to 200,000 vulnerable households, subsidised public transportation and supported small businesses and farmers.

 

“Good leadership requires more than making economically sound decisions. It requires understanding how those decisions will affect the people you have been elected to serve. Nigerians deserved better preparation and better protection,” he said.