Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu over his management of the fuel subsidy crisis, referring to him as “TPain” in a tweet on Thursday.
Atiku blamed Nigeria’s current economic woes on what he described as the “haphazard and disingenuous approach” taken by Tinubu’s administration in addressing the fuel subsidy issue. He argued that this mismanagement is largely responsible for the ongoing economic crisis.
“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,” Atiku stated. He further warned that the situation would continue to worsen, noting that “there will be no let up in the escalating inflation rate, which is drowning the material well-being of Nigerians.”
Atiku also expressed concern that despite the hardships faced by the populace, Tinubu, whom he mockingly referred to as “T-pain,” appeared indifferent to their struggles. The nickname “TPain” is a play on the first letter of Tinubu’s name and the American rapper and producer T-Pain, reflecting public frustration over the rising cost of living during his presidency.
The term “TPain” first appeared on social media in April 2024, according to *Peoples Gazette*, and gained traction in mid-September when a user on X (formerly Twitter) used it while commenting on President Tinubu’s visit to Maiduguri to console flood victims. Since then, the term has grown in popularity on platforms like X and Instagram, as a symbol of dissatisfaction with the president’s handling of the economy.