Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has confirmed plans to travel to the United States to draw international attention to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and what he described as declining governance standards.
Atiku is expected to meet policy and institutional stakeholders during the visit.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President said Nigeria is facing a “full-blown internal crisis” that can no longer be ignored or politicised.
The statement read in part:
“From the ravaging violence in the North-West and North-East, to the persistent bloodshed in the Middle Belt, and the growing spread of kidnapping and criminality across the country, Atiku warns that the Nigerian state is steadily losing its grip on its most fundamental responsibility: the protection of lives and property.
“According to him, the situation has moved beyond isolated incidents to a pattern of systemic failure. Communities are being overrun, livelihoods destroyed, and citizens abandoned to their fate.
“He argues that any government that cannot guarantee basic security forfeits the moral basis of its mandate,” the statement read.
On the economy, Atiku raised concerns over what he described as worsening hardship, citing inflation, currency instability and declining purchasing power.
“He notes that rising inflation, a weakened currency, and collapsing purchasing power have pushed millions into distress, while policy inconsistency and lack of strategic direction continue to erode confidence in the economy,” the statement said.
The former Vice President also expressed concern about Nigeria’s democratic process, warning about declining trust in governance and elections.
“As the country moves toward another election cycle, he insists that any attempt to undermine transparency or manipulate outcomes will carry serious consequences for both unity and legitimacy,” the statement added.
Responding to anticipated criticism of his foreign engagement, Atiku dismissed suggestions that his move amounts to inviting external interference.
“Atiku is unequivocal: telling the truth about Nigeria is not unpatriotic. He rejects the notion that engaging global partners amounts to inviting foreign interference, stressing that Nigeria does not exist in isolation and cannot pretend that its internal failures have no external implications.
“He maintains that the world already sees what is happening; the real question is whether Nigerian leaders are prepared to confront it honestly.
“He reiterates that only Nigerians will decide Nigeria’s leadership, but insists that international partners have a legitimate interest in the stability, governance standards, and democratic health of a country as strategically important as Nigeria,” the statement said.
Atiku also urged the current administration to “urgently reset its priorities,” rebuild public trust, and adopt what he called a credible strategy to address insecurity and economic challenges.
He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and demand accountability, stressing that meaningful change must come from within.
The former Vice President said Nigeria is at a critical juncture requiring “courage, honesty, and decisive leadership” to avoid further instability.
The development comes as political activities heighten ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, who served as Vice President between 1999 and 2007, has since left the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the African Democratic Congress as part of a broader opposition coalition.
The ADC is currently facing internal leadership crises and factional disputes.
