Atiku only hope for Nigeria’s economic recovery – Emeka Kalu

As Nigeria’s political atmosphere begins to heat up ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dr. Emeka Kalu, the President of the ECK Foundation, has declared that only former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has the competence and experience to rescue the country from its deepening economic crisis.

In a  statement personally signed by him, Kalu expressed grave concern over Nigeria’s worsening economic downturn, attributing it to the inefficiency and lack of direction exhibited by the current administration.

He noted that under the present leadership, the country’s economy was spiraling downward at an alarming rate, with no concrete measures in place to salvage the situation.

Describing Atiku as a “rational game changer” with a track record of excellence in leadership, Kalu insisted that the former Vice President possesses the intelligence, experience, and vision needed to steer the country away from total economic collapse.

He lamented the wastefulness of Nigeria’s vast natural resources, blaming it on the government’s failure to explore and maximize them for national development.

Kalu particularly pointed out the poor management of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, emphasizing that weak operational mechanism had hindered its potential for growth.

He criticized the government’s lack of commitment to implementing policies that would maximize the country’s economic opportunities, stressing that without a shift in leadership, the nation risked further decline.

He called on Nigerian voters and political leaders to rally behind Atiku Abubakar as the only viable candidate capable of reversing the economic misfortunes of the country.

According to Kalu, Nigeria can only overcome its economic woes if citizens reject corrupt politicians driven by self-interest and instead support selfless, capable, and competent leaders like Atiku.

Dr. Kalu further warned that Nigeria had already descended into a state of failed leadership, citing rising hunger, inflation, naira depreciation, insecurity, unemployment, and systemic corruption as key indicators of governance failure.

“The sorry state of our economy must remind all Nigerians that we are already in the regime of failed leadership. The heights of hunger, cost of living, naira value depreciation, insecurity, nepotism, treasury looting, tariff hikes, unemployment, and other prebendary characters have drastically taken us backward with no hope of recovery except the citizens rise with their lawful mantles of civic rights by supporting a fair and competent political leadership come 2027,” Kalu stated.

According to him, governing a nation of over 200 million people requires a leader with intelligence, sound education, articulate reasoning, and a detribalized mindset. He argued that Atiku possesses these qualities and has the strategic vision needed to put Nigeria back on the path of progress.

Dr. Kalu lamented that electoral malpractices had repeatedly denied Atiku the chance to lead Nigeria despite his widespread support among the electorate.

He recalled Atiku’s tenure as Vice President, during which Nigeria experienced significant economic liberalization, increased trade and investment, and job creation.

Kalu also took a swipe at the current administration led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of lacking transparency, especially in handling the controversial fuel subsidy removal and other critical economic policies.

“With Atiku Abubakar in charge, there is no way this country will not record accelerated economic advancement. This piece is not a campaign or political propaganda meant to mislead the public, but a reality whose impact cannot be erased beyond space and time,” he emphasized.