Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the fuel subsidy crisis, likening him to “TPain” in a recent tweet. Atiku attributed Nigeria’s current economic struggles to what he described as the Tinubu administration’s “haphazard and disingenuous” approach to managing the subsidy issue.
In his remarks, Atiku highlighted the surging inflation that is affecting Nigerians, stressing that the rising cost of living is creating severe hardships across the country. He expressed concern that despite the worsening economic conditions, President Tinubu appears indifferent to the plight of the citizens.
“The disorganized and insincere way the current administration has managed fuel subsidies is the primary reason behind the economic crisis we are facing. There is no sign of relief from the ever-increasing inflation rate, which is crushing the material well-being of Nigerians,” Atiku stated. He further criticized Tinubu’s apparent lack of concern, saying, “It is even more troubling that T-pain is unaffected by the hardships.”
The nickname “TPain,” a play on both Tinubu’s initials and the name of American rapper T-Pain, has emerged from public frustration with the rising cost of living under Tinubu’s administration. According to reports, the term first appeared on social media in April 2024 and gained significant attention by mid-September, especially after a discussion on President Tinubu’s visit to Maiduguri following severe floods. The term has since gone viral on platforms like X and Instagram, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the government’s policies.
