APC secretary Ajibola Bashiru questions Atiku’s economic expertise ahead of 2027, defending Tinubu’s reforms and criticising opposition campaign promises.
ABUJA, October 22, 2026. The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Bashiru, has questioned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s economic expertise, arguing that Atiku lacks the professional credentials to address Nigeria’s economic challenges, while defending President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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Bashiru made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed Atiku’s presidential ambitions and the potential challenge the former vice-president could pose to the ruling party in the next general election.
The APC official argued that serving as vice-president did not automatically establish expertise in economic management.
He also questioned Atiku’s professional background, referring to his early training and career in public service.“Atiku is not a professional, please, with respect to him. Atiku trained as an hygiene expert at the school of hygiene in Kano, He is a ‘wole wole’ man and went to be a tax collector in Customs. Where is the expertise? What has he done? Check his profile?” Bashiru said.
He further argued that Atiku should be assessed on his professional record and contributions rather than on the seniority of the political offices he had occupied.“So, the fact that you became a Vice President doesn’t make you an expert, what is his expertise?” he asked.
Bashiru also accused Atiku of bearing responsibility for some of the economic difficulties the Tinubu administration is attempting to address, although he did not provide specific policies or decisions to substantiate the allegation during the reported exchange.“If there are challenges that is being addressed by President Tinubu, one of the main people that caused it is Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
The remarks form part of the intensifying political debate over which leadership team is best placed to manage Nigeria’s economy as parties and prospective candidates position themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku served as Nigeria’s vice-president from 1999 to 2007 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Before entering national politics, he worked in the Nigeria Customs Service, rising to the rank of deputy director, and later became a businessman and presidential candidate.
His supporters may point to that experience in public administration and business as relevant to economic policy, while critics continue to question the results of previous administrations and the practical implications of opposition proposals.
The debate over economic competence therefore extends beyond formal qualifications to include policy choices, implementation and measurable outcomes.
Bashiru expressed confidence that Nigerians would reject Atiku if the former vice-president contested the presidency again. He described Atiku’s latest ambition as a final attempt and drew a comparison with Kenyan opposition figure Oginga Odinga.“Atiku is the Oginga Odinga of our country and that is what the Vice president said.He is doing his last contest which he knows that Nigeria people would reject him because Atiku you mentioned cannot even come to talk about Nigerian economy,” Bashiru said.
The prediction reflects the APC official’s political position rather than an established assessment of the 2027 electoral outcome.
Voter preferences will depend on a range of factors, including economic conditions, security, party organisation, candidates’ policy proposals and public confidence in the government.
In the 2023 presidential election, President Tinubu won with 8,794,726 votes, while Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, received 6,984,520 votes.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party secured 6,101,533 votes, while Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party polled 1,496,687.
The results demonstrated that Tinubu secured the presidency in a competitive election, while Atiku retained substantial nationwide support.
The figures provide historical context but do not, by themselves, establish how voters will respond in 2027.
Bashiru also criticised opposition politicians who have promised to reduce petrol prices substantially if elected, arguing that campaign commitments should be economically realistic rather than designed primarily to attract votes.You see, some of these people can just come to make statements. I learnt one of them said I’m going to make petrol 200 naira, 300 naira.
It is not possible, he is just lying. You must not lie to people because you want to get their votes. You must even say something that is even realistic, he said.
His comments come amid continuing public debate over the effects of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, including changes to petrol subsidies and foreign exchange management.
While the government has defended the reforms as necessary to address longstanding structural problems, households and businesses have faced significant cost pressures.
The wider economic argument is likely to remain central to the 2027 campaign.
Nigerians will be weighing the government’s claims about reform and economic recovery against their experiences of food prices, transport costs, employment opportunities and household purchasing power.
For the APC, defending Tinubu’s record while challenging the credibility of opposition alternatives is likely to remain an important part of its political messaging.
For opposition figures, demonstrating how their policies would improve living standards and address structural economic problems will be equally important.
As the election approaches, the contest over economic expertise is expected to become more prominent.
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Bashiru’s remarks underline the ruling party’s effort to question Atiku’s suitability for the presidency, but the ultimate assessment will rest with voters, who will have to weigh the candidates’ records, proposals and ability to deliver sustainable improvements to the economy.
