ABUJA (FN), Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of using food distribution as a political tool, charging that the administration is exploiting hunger to secure votes in the country’s north. “Rice isn’t governance,” Atiku said in a statement Thursday, criticizing what he described as a short-term palliative strategy rather than a sustainable plan to address Nigeria’s deepening food crisis.
The remarks come amid widespread discontent over rising inflation and food insecurity, with staples such as rice and maize becoming increasingly unaffordable for millions of households. Tinubu’s government has defended its emergency food programs, saying they are necessary to cushion vulnerable communities while longer-term agricultural reforms take shape.
Atiku’s comments echo broader frustrations among opposition leaders and civil society groups, who argue that Nigeria’s economic challenges require structural solutions, not handouts. Similar criticisms have surfaced in past administrations, where food distribution was often tied to political patronage.
On social media, reactions were divided. Supporters of Atiku praised his candor, saying the government must prioritize lasting reforms in agriculture and job creation. Tinubu’s allies countered that the food programs are a lifeline for struggling families and accused the opposition of politicizing humanitarian relief.
Policy analysts warn that Nigeria’s food crisis, driven by insecurity in farming regions, currency instability, and climate pressures, could worsen without coordinated reforms. Opinion leaders have urged the government to invest in mechanized farming, rural infrastructure, and transparent subsidy programs to ensure food security beyond election cycles.
The debate underscores a larger question facing Africa’s most populous nation: whether emergency relief can coexist with long-term governance strategies, or whether reliance on short-term fixes risks deepening public mistrust in leadership
