• Atiku Abubakar planned a United States visit to spotlight Nigeria’s insecurity and governance challenges
• He described Nigeria’s situation as a “full-blown internal crisis” and warned of systemic failure in protecting lives and property
• Atiku reject claims that engaging the US amounts to foreign interference and urged the Nigerian government to reset priorities and act decisively

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has confirmed plans to travel to the United States, where he intends to spotlight Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic struggles, and declining governance standards on the global stage.

During the visit, Atiku is expected to engage with key policy and institutional stakeholders, drawing attention to what he described as a growing national crisis.

In a statement released on Sunday, May 3, by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the former vice president warned that Nigeria is currently facing a “full-blown internal crisis” that should no longer be ignored 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.

Atiku also raised concerns about the economy, pointing to worsening hardship across the country. He cited inflation, currency depreciation, and declining purchasing power as key indicators of distress.

“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.

Beyond security and economic issues, the former vice president expressed alarm over the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

He warned that declining public trust in governance, accountability, and the electoral process could undermine 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.

Responding to critics who may interpret his US engagement as inviting foreign interference, Atiku firmly rejected the claim.

“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.

Atiku further urged the current administration to take immediate steps to address the nation’s challenges, calling for a reset in governance priorities and a clear strategy to restore public confidence.

He also encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and hold leaders accountable, noting that lasting change must come from within.

The development comes amid rising political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a broader opposition coalition.

However, the ADC continues to face internal leadership disputes and factional tensions.

In a related move, Atiku reportedly engaged a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., under a $1.2 million contract aimed at strengthening his international image and influencing policy perception in the United States.

“I’m not stepping down,” Atiku fires back at 2027 withdrawal claims

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had dismissed claims that he had withdrawn from the 2027 presidential race, describing the reports as false and misleading.

Atiku said the rumours suggesting he had stepped away from active politics were part of a “coordinated disinformation campaign” aimed at discrediting him.

He also refuted claims of a national-level meeting with African Democratic Congress stakeholders, claiming that his only recent engagement was with ADC members in Adamawa State.