Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu over his administration’s approach to the ongoing fuel subsidy crisis in Nigeria. Atiku took to social media on Thursday to express his dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s policies, notably referring to him as “TPain,” a nickname that has become popular among some Nigerians online.
Atiku blamed Nigeria’s current economic challenges on what he described as the “haphazard and disingenuous approach” of Tinubu’s government toward managing fuel subsidies. He claimed that this mishandling has worsened the country’s inflation rate, which is negatively affecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
In his statement, Atiku expressed deep concern over the rising inflation and the high cost of living, pointing out that many Nigerians are struggling to meet their basic needs. He criticized the government’s lack of a clear plan to address these issues and expressed disappointment that President Tinubu appears unaffected by the growing hardships.
He wrote, “The haphazard and disingenuous approach of the current administration to fuel subsidy management has been the reason we are in this current economic crisis in the country. As things stand, there will be no let up in the escalating inflation rate, which is drowning the material well-being of Nigerians. It is even more worrying that T-Pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country.”
The nickname “TPain” is a reference to the first letter of Tinubu’s name and the popular American rapper and producer T-Pain. The name surfaced on social media earlier this year, as Nigerians voiced their frustration over the rising cost of living under Tinubu’s leadership. The term gained widespread attention after a social media user mentioned it in September during a discussion about Tinubu’s visit to Maiduguri to comfort flood victims.
Since then, the term “TPain” has gained momentum on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with many Nigerians using it to express their dissatisfaction with the current economic situation. Some social media users see the nickname as a reflection of the pain and difficulties they are facing due to high inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies under Tinubu’s administration.
The fuel subsidy removal, which Tinubu announced soon after taking office, was initially seen as a necessary step to address Nigeria’s financial problems. However, many Nigerians now believe that the government’s handling of the situation has led to increased economic hardship, with higher transportation costs, rising food prices, and an overall decline in living standards.
