HURIWA FAULTS TINUBU OVER HUNGER REMARKS, DEMANDS ANSWERS ON SUBSIDY SAVINGS AND INSECURITY

By NaijaParrot | October 26, 2026 

Abuja, Nigeria 

 The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent comments blaming previous administrations and opposition politicians for hunger and poverty, insisting that Nigerians deserve clear answers about the economic hardship and security challenges confronting the country. 

 The rights group said the President should focus on explaining the impact of his administration’s policies, accounting for the savings generated by petrol subsidy removal and presenting concrete measures to address rising living costs and persistent insecurity. The criticism followed Tinubu’s remarks at the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, where he reportedly accused opposition politicians of creating the hunger and poverty experienced by Nigerians while maintaining that his administration was working to eliminate them.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA argued that although the current administration inherited existing economic challenges, it must also accept responsibility for the consequences of policies introduced since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. The organisation maintained that complaints about hunger, poverty and declining purchasing power should not be dismissed as political attacks, describing them instead as legitimate concerns that require practical responses from the government. 

 HURIWA also pointed to the APC’s period in power since 2015, arguing that the party’s successive administrations must account for their respective records rather than continually shifting responsibility to political opponents. (ThisDayLive⁠) Questions over petrol subsidy savings A major concern raised by the group was the management of funds generated following the removal of the petrol subsidy. HURIWA called on the Federal Government to provide a transparent account of the savings, including how the money had been allocated, which projects had benefited and what measurable improvements Nigerians had experienced. 

 The group argued that the public should be able to assess whether the economic reforms were delivering tangible benefits, particularly for low-income households struggling with the cost of basic necessities. The subsidy removal, announced by Tinubu during his inauguration in May 2023, was defended by the government as a necessary step towards reducing public expenditure and addressing problems associated with the former subsidy system. However, HURIWA maintained that the government must demonstrate how the resulting fiscal savings and additional resources are improving citizens’ living conditions. (insightwirenews.com⁠)  

The organisation highlighted the growing pressure on Nigerians from expensive food, transportation, electricity and medicines. According to HURIWA, these costs have placed substantial pressure on household budgets and made it increasingly difficult for many workers, pensioners and small-business owners to meet their daily needs. It called on the government to explain what specific interventions would help restore purchasing power, improve access to essential services and protect vulnerable citizens from the effects of economic reforms. 

 The group also urged the authorities to strengthen social protection programmes and ensure that assistance reaches the people most affected by rising prices. HURIWA maintained that the success of economic policies should be assessed not only through government revenue figures or fiscal indicators but also through their impact on the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerians. Insecurity remains a central concern Beyond economic hardship, HURIWA challenged Tinubu to provide clearer answers about the government’s response to terrorism, kidnapping and attacks on communities. The organisation called for stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security agencies and specific measures to rescue Nigerians held captive by armed groups. It raised concerns about attacks and abductions reported in states including Borno, Kwara and Niger, arguing that affected families need more than general assurances from the authorities. HURIWA also called for accountability where security failures expose citizens to avoidable danger, insisting that protecting lives and property must remain a central responsibility of the Federal Government. 

 With political activities gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, HURIWA warned that the administration’s handling of economic hardship, insecurity and public accountability would remain important issues in the national debate. 

 The group urged the President to use the campaign period to present measurable plans for reducing poverty, improving public safety and making essential goods and services more affordable. It also called for the publication of verifiable information on the use of subsidy savings, arguing that transparency would enable Nigerians to evaluate the government’s claims and the results of its policies. The Presidency’s position is that subsidy removal and other economic reforms are intended to address longstanding structural problems. 

HURIWA’s criticism, however, reflects continuing public debate over the immediate costs of those measures and the extent to which their benefits have reached ordinary households. The central question, according to the organisation, is whether government policies are producing visible improvements in the lives and security of Nigerians.

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