African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the security situation in Benue State. He said the continued killings and displacement of farmers are worsening Nigeria’s food crisis. Atiku who expressed his displeasure in a statement on Monday, described Benue as the “Food Basket of the... The post Atiku Accuses Tinubu Of Failing Benue appeared first on New Telegraph .
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the security situation in Benue State.
He said the continued killings and displacement of farmers are worsening Nigeria’s food crisis.
Atiku who expressed his displeasure in a statement on Monday, described Benue as the “Food Basket of the Nation” and said the state’s agricultural potential was being undermined by insecurity.
The former Vice President cited a report by Amnesty International which, according to him, recorded 6,896 deaths in Benue State within the first two years of the Tinubu administration.
He said the figure represented farmers who failed to return from their farms, families forced to abandon their ancestral communities and communities emptied because of fear.
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According to Atiku, the impact of insecurity in Benue extends beyond the state, as disruptions to farming and food production contribute to rising prices across Nigeria.
He said, “And when Benue cannot farm, Nigeria cannot eat cheaply,” arguing that every farmer forced off the land ultimately affects the prices of food commodities such as yam, rice, beans, vegetables and meat.
Atiku said insecurity had therefore become not only a security challenge but also a cost-of-living issue affecting Nigerian households.
The former Vice President also spoke about his experience as a farmer, saying his farms had suffered theft and disruption as a result of insecurity.
He argued that his personal experience had given him an understanding of how insecurity affects agricultural production, livelihoods and food prices.
Atiku questioned the Tinubu administration’s management of resources following the removal of the petrol subsidy, noting that Nigerians had been told the policy would free resources for development and security.
He also cited figures attributed to the Nigeria Customs Service, saying about ₦34tn in import-duty exemption approvals were disclosed in 2025, with a substantial portion reportedly linked to military hardware.
He subsequently questioned the government over the security situation, asking, “Where is the security? Where are the results?”
Atiku argued that Nigerians should not be required to bear the cost of higher fuel prices while continuing to lose lives to insecurity.
He also called for a comprehensive approach to the crisis, saying criminality should not be associated with any particular ethnic group.
According to him, criminals must be punished, farmers protected, livestock owners secured and peaceful coexistence restored between communities.
Atiku recalled his previous efforts to broker peace between Tiv and Fulani communities in Benue, saying he remained convinced that the crisis could be resolved.
The former Vice President also disclosed that he received African Democratic Congress candidates contesting various elective positions in Benue State.
He said their mission should go beyond winning elections to include protecting lives, restoring livelihoods, reviving Benue’s agricultural sector and making life more affordable for Nigerians.
Atiku urged stakeholders to secure Benue State and restore its position as the Food Basket of the Nation, saying Nigerians should not continue to pay for government policies with their lives.
