Atiku and Bwala Clash Over Hunger and Poverty in Nigeria

A heated exchange has erupted between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, over the current state of hunger and poverty in Nigeria. Bwala claims that Nigerians have been struggling with hunger since 1999, when Atiku served as Vice President under Olusegun Obasanjo.

Atiku had attributed the prevailing insecurity in the country to worsening poverty and hunger, criticizing President Tinubu’s administration for failing to address these issues. However, Bwala dismissed Atiku’s claims, citing progress made by the current administration, including increased foreign reserves, a rise in net exports, and reduced dependency on imports. Bwala emphasized that hunger has always been a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s history, and the current administration is working to stabilize the economy.

Atiku has fired back at Bwala, describing him as a “political turncoat” trying to curry favor with a struggling administration. Atiku emphasized that his legacy as a unifier, builder, and patriot is well-established and impervious to Bwala’s criticisms. He also highlighted his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, championing reform, restructuring, and electoral integrity

Many Nigerians seem to back Atiku’s claims, expressing frustration with the current economic hardship and insecurity. Some argue that the government’s policies have exacerbated the situation, while others believe that Atiku’s proposed solutions could have yielded better results. The debate highlights the complexities of Nigeria’s economic challenges and the need for effective solutions to address poverty and hunger

Despite the challenges, some economic indicators show promise. Nigeria’s inflation rate has eased for the fifth consecutive month, dropping to 20.12% in August, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Food inflation also slowed to 21.87% year