Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the fuel subsidy crisis, referring to him as “TPain” in a tweet on Thursday.

 

Atiku attributed the current economic challenges facing Nigeria to what he described as the “haphazard and disingenuous approach” of the Tinubu administration to fuel subsidy management.

 

In his statement, Atiku expressed concern about the escalating inflation rate, stating that it is severely impacting the lives of Nigerians.

 

He lamented that despite the growing hardships, Tinubu appears unfazed by the plight of the citizens.

 

“The haphazard and disingenuous approach of the current administration to fuel subsidy management has been the reason we are in this current economic crisis in the country.

 

“As things stand, there will be no let up in the escalating inflation rate, which is drowning the material well-being of Nigerians.

 

“It is even more worrying that T-pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country,” Atiku wrote.

 

The nickname ‘TPain’ for Tinubu emerged as a play on the first letter of his name and the name of American rapper and producer T-Pain, sparked by frustrations over the rising cost of living under his administration.

 

According to Peoples Gazette, the earliest mention of the term on social media dates back to April 2024.

 

However, it gained significant traction around September 16, after a user on X used it while discussing the President’s visit to Maiduguri to console flood victims.

 

The term has gained traction on platforms like X and Instagram.