Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted President Bola Tinubu's claim that prosperity is on the horizon and that the quality of life in Nigeria is improving, describing the remarks as disconnected from the realities facing millions of Nigerians.

The criticism was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who said the President's comments reflected a widening gap between the government and ordinary citizens.

Atiku questioned the basis of Tinubu's optimism, arguing that the prevailing economic hardship, insecurity and rising cost of living had left many Nigerians struggling to survive.

According to him, traders have seen their businesses weakened by inflation, civil servants can no longer sustain themselves on their salaries, manufacturers are battling soaring energy costs, while unemployed graduates face bleak prospects.

He also lamented the security situation, saying many farming communities had been displaced by terrorists and bandits, while kidnappings and violent attacks had continued to threaten lives across the country.

The former Vice President maintained that although every administration inherits challenges, President Tinubu could no longer continue to blame previous governments after spending more than three years in office.

"No President is elected to inherit excuses. The Constitution did not swear President Tinubu into office to explain history; it swore him into office to change it," Atiku said.

He further accused the administration of failing to provide solutions to Nigeria's economic and governance challenges, alleging that its policies had worsened citizens' hardship while promoting opacity and favouritism.

Drawing a comparison with China, Atiku argued that the Asian nation transformed its large population into an economic advantage through investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, education, technology and export-driven industrialisation, rather than treating population growth as a burden.

He said an ADC-led administration would prioritise investments in infrastructure, agriculture, education, manufacturing and skills development to harness Nigeria's youthful population for economic growth.

Atiku also described as insensitive any suggestion that present-day Nigerians should accept widespread hunger because previous generations experienced similar conditions, insisting that the government was elected to tackle current challenges.

He added that genuine hope could only be inspired through improved governance, affordable food, stable electricity, quality healthcare, jobs and security, rather than official speeches.

"If the President truly believes that the quality of life is improving, then one must respectfully remind him that the Nigeria he is talking about exists only in his head," Atiku said.

The statement was signed by Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to the former Vice President.