By Charles Chijioke
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has outlined a stark agenda for his proposed visit to the United States, warning that Nigeria is grappling with what he described as a deepening crisis across security, governance, and the economy.
In a press statement issued Sunday in Abuja by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said his engagements with policy and institutional stakeholders abroad would focus on what he termed “the alarming deterioration” of conditions in Nigeria.
He stated plainly that the country is facing “a full-blown internal crisis,” stressing that the situation can no longer be minimized or politicized. Citing ongoing violence in the North-West and North-East, persistent killings in the Middle Belt, and the spread of kidnapping nationwide, he warned that the Nigerian state is “steadily losing its grip” on its core duty of protecting lives and property.
According to him, “the situation has moved beyond isolated incidents to a pattern of systemic failure,” adding that communities are being overrun and citizens left vulnerable. He argued that “any government that cannot guarantee basic security forfeits the moral basis of its mandate.”
On the economy, the former vice president described the hardship facing Nigerians as both “severe and avoidable,” pointing to inflationary pressures, currency weakness, and declining purchasing power. He said inconsistent policies and lack of strategic direction have continued to undermine economic confidence, noting that “Nigerians are not just tired, they are being stretched to the limits of endurance.”
Atiku also raised concerns about weakening democratic institutions, warning that declining trust in governance, accountability, and the electoral process could threaten national stability. As the country approaches another election cycle, he cautioned that any attempt to undermine transparency or manipulate outcomes “will carry serious consequences for both unity and legitimacy.”
Responding to critics of his planned international engagement, Atiku maintained that “telling the truth about Nigeria is not unpatriotic.” He rejected claims that engaging global partners amounts to inviting foreign interference, insisting that Nigeria cannot isolate itself from international scrutiny. “The world already sees what is happening; the real question is whether Nigerian leaders are prepared to confront it honestly,” he said.
While affirming that leadership choices remain the prerogative of Nigerians, he noted that international stakeholders have a legitimate interest in the country’s stability and democratic health. “Responsible leadership does not hide from scrutiny, it welcomes it as a pathway to improvement,” he added.
In a direct message to the current administration, Atiku warned against complacency, stating that “power is not an entitlement but a responsibility,” and urged authorities to urgently rebuild public trust and present a credible strategy to tackle insecurity and economic decline.
He also called on citizens to remain actively engaged, emphasizing that “no nation survives in silence” and that meaningful change must come from within.
The statement comes amid growing public concern over insecurity and rising living costs in Nigeria, issues that have increasingly dominated political discourse ahead of future elections.
Observers say Atiku’s comments could heighten political tensions, draw international attention to Nigeria’s internal challenges, and intensify pressure on the government to respond with concrete policy actions.
