Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over what he described as a worsening crisis in Nigeria’s security, governance and economic sectors, ahead of his planned engagement with stakeholders in the United States.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, said his forthcoming visit would focus on drawing attention to what he termed a “full-blown internal crisis” confronting the country.
He warned that escalating violence across parts of the North-West and North-East, persistent killings in the Middle Belt and the spread of kidnapping nationwide indicate that the state is gradually losing control of its core responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.
According to him, the situation has evolved beyond isolated attacks to a pattern of systemic failure, leaving many communities vulnerable and livelihoods destroyed.
“At this point, it is no longer a matter of isolated incidents. It reflects a deeper failure within the system,” he stated, adding that any government unable to guarantee basic security risks losing the moral justification for its mandate.
The former vice president also decried the economic situation in the country, noting that rising inflation, currency instability and declining purchasing power have placed millions of Nigerians under severe strain.
He attributed the hardship to policy inconsistencies and the absence of clear economic direction, warning that citizens were being pushed to the brink.
Atiku further expressed concern over what he described as declining public confidence in democratic institutions, including governance processes and the electoral system, cautioning that such trends could undermine national stability, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.
On his planned international engagement, the former presidential candidate dismissed criticisms that speaking on Nigeria’s challenges abroad was unpatriotic, insisting that global partners have a legitimate interest in the country’s stability and democratic health.
He maintained that acknowledging the nation’s challenges is necessary for progress, stressing that “responsible leadership does not shy away from scrutiny.”
The ex-vice president also urged the Federal Government to urgently refocus its priorities, rebuild public trust and articulate a clear strategy to address insecurity and economic decline.
He called on Nigerians to remain active in demanding accountability, noting that meaningful change would ultimately depend on the collective will of the people.
Atiku added that Nigeria was at a critical juncture, warning that failure to confront its challenges decisively could further deepen instability.
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