Atiku to visit US over Nigeria’s insecurity, governance concerns

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has confirmed his planned visit to the United States to draw international attention to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and declining governance standards.

During his forthcoming engagement, Atiku will speak with policy and institutional stakeholders in the US.

Explaining reasons for the visit through a statement issued on Sunday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said the country is facing a “full-blown internal crisis” that can no longer be downplayed or politicised.

“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 highlighted what he described as deepening hardship, citing rising inflation, a weakened currency, 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 the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, warning that declining public confidence in governance, accountability, and the electoral process could threaten national stability.

“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 said.

Addressing possible criticism of his planned US engagement, Atiku rejected claims that engaging international partners amounts to inviting foreign 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.

In a message to the current administration, Atiku urged the government to “urgently reset its priorities,” restore public confidence, and demonstrate a credible strategy to address insecurity and economic challenges.

He also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and demand accountability from leaders, stressing that meaningful change would come from within.

Atiku said Nigeria was at a critical juncture, requiring “courage, honesty, and decisive leadership” to avert further instability.

The development comes as political activities begin to heat up ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, who served as Vice President between 1999 and 2007, exited the Peoples Democratic Party, which has faced significant decline following his repeated presidential bids, and joined the African Democratic Congress as part of a broader opposition coalition.

The ADC is currently grappling with internal leadership crises and factional disputes.

PUNCH Online had reported that Atiku recently hired the Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. for a $1.2 million contract to boost his reputational standing and shape policy perceptions in the United States.