Nigeria is burning, while Presidency is busy editing lunch pictures from Paris – Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken a swipe at the Presidency, accusing it of focusing on trivial matters while Nigerians grapple with hunger, insecurity, and severe economic pressure.
He criticised the federal government for defending photographs of President Bola Tinubu’s meals in Paris, describing the response as insensitive amid worsening national challenges.
Atiku Faults Presidency’s Priorities
Atiku’s reaction was contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following a recent “Stop Press” from the Presidency.
The former vice president questioned the urgency behind the statement, arguing that it reflected a lack of seriousness about the country’s pressing problems.
He said, “The Presidency’s latest ‘Stop Press’ is a textbook case of misplaced priorities and official shamelessness. That is not leadership. It is tone-deafness in power.”
Hunger and Insecurity Take Centre Stage
Atiku stressed that many Nigerians are struggling to survive as insecurity spreads across several states, including Niger State.
He lamented that families can no longer afford basic food items while communities face violent attacks.
“While communities in Niger State and other parts of the country are under attack and families can no longer afford basic food, the Presidency is busy explaining camera phones, image quality, and photo editing,” he said.
Doubts Over Image Controversy
The former vice president also dismissed the Presidency’s strong reaction to claims that the images were generated by artificial intelligence or manipulated.
He argued that public doubt was a natural consequence of eroded trust in governance.
“On the claim of AI or forgery, the outrage is unconvincing. When credibility is eroded, doubt follows naturally. The real falsehood is not a photograph. It is the daily distortion of leadership priorities.”
Call for Urgent Action
Atiku urged the federal government to move away from what he described as public relations distractions and focus on real governance.
“Nigeria is burning. The presidency is editing pictures. It is time for the Presidency to abandon public relations theatrics, return home, and confront the emergencies facing Nigerians – hunger, insecurity, and economic collapse – with urgency, humility, and action. That is the minimum Nigerians expect,” he said.
