Arise Television anchor, Dr Reuben Abati, has faulted President Bola Tinubu for blaming opposition parties for the hunger and poverty in Nigeria, urging the President to focus on addressing the rising cost of living rather than shifting responsibility to political opponents.

Abati made the remarks on Monday during The Morning Show on Arise Television, while reacting to Tinubu’s comments at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday.

At the event, Tinubu had accused opposition parties of creating the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, insisting that his administration was working to eliminate hunger and poverty.

“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created hunger, they created poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” the President said.

However, Abati challenged the President’s position, arguing that the APC has been in power since 2015 and that the current administration must take responsibility for the economic realities facing Nigerians.

He questioned how opposition parties, which are not in control of the federal government, could be blamed for the country’s prevailing economic challenges in 2026.

The broadcaster attributed the worsening hardship to government policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, which he said had contributed to rising transportation and food costs.

“You met the price of fuel at about ₦195, but now fuel is ₦1,400 to ₦1,500 per litre. That rise has caused food prices to go up. Bag of rice, garri, beans have all increased,” Abati said.

He further highlighted the increase in the price of garri, noting that a paint measure which reportedly sold for about ₦500 when Tinubu assumed office now costs approximately ₦2,500.

According to him, the rising prices of essential commodities have placed enormous pressure on households, making it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford basic necessities.

Abati consequently urged Tinubu to stop blaming the opposition for the country’s economic difficulties and concentrate on policies capable of reducing the cost of living and improving citizens’ welfare.

His comments have renewed the debate over the causes of Nigeria’s economic hardship and the responsibility of the federal government to address the impact of its economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians.