Atiku Abubakar is not holding back. The former vice-president and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate has come out swinging against President Bola Tinubu, describing the size of his campaign council as a sign of fear rather than confidence.
Atiku's position is simple: a president who is secure in his record does not need an oversized campaign structure. In his view, the bloated council signals that Tinubu knows Nigerians are not happy with the direction things have gone under his watch.
The former vice-president went further, saying Nigerians will not renew a mandate he calls one of hardship. It is a pointed message aimed squarely at voters who have felt the weight of economic pressure during Tinubu's time in office.
Whether the criticism lands or simply adds to the noise of campaign season politics remains to be seen. But Atiku is clearly betting that frustration at the grassroots level is deep enough to translate into votes, and he wants to be the name on the lips of anyone ready for a change.
Originally published by BusinessDay.