President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has blamed previous administrations for Nigeria’s economic challenges, accusing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of benefiting from public resources to establish a private university while in office.

Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday at a presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he defended his administration’s economic policies and efforts to clear outstanding pension and gratuity payments.

Responding to criticism over hunger and economic hardship, the President said his administration was addressing problems inherited from previous governments.

“When those people talk about hunger, remember that I am cleaning up the mess they created. Atiku was one of them,” Tinubu said.

He questioned how Atiku funded the establishment of his private university while serving as Vice President in charge of the economy, alleging that public resources financed the institution.

“Who funded the university for him? It was your money, your effort! A man without moral integrity, latitude, and ethics has no business holding public office,” he added.

The President also accused previous governments of leaving behind billions and trillions of naira in unpaid pensions and gratuities, saying his administration was working to clear the outstanding payments.

According to Tinubu, the government is addressing the backlog to ensure retired workers receive their entitlements and participate in the country’s prosperity.

“The people who governed before us left unpaid pensions and gratuities running into billions and trillions of Naira. We are clearing that backlog so that every family is included and we can share in the prosperity,” he said.

He cited retired engineers, welders and teachers as beneficiaries of the payments, claiming that pensioners were now receiving their entitlements on time.

The President’s comments were part of his address at the Rivers State rally, where he also sought support for his re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections. (The Nation)