Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, alleging that worsening living costs are pushing some young Nigerians into desperate measures, including selling their kidneys.
Atiku made the claim in a statement posted on his social media platforms on Friday, where he described the rising cost of living as a disturbing indication of the hardship confronting Nigerians.
He accused the Tinubu administration of making basic necessities increasingly unaffordable and pledged to reverse the trend if elected president.
“Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again,” he said.
Atiku, who has pledged to reverse the government’s fuel subsidy removal policy, said he had received reports of young Nigerians resorting to extreme measures to raise money.
He described reports of youths selling their body organs, particularly kidneys, as among the most disturbing consequences of the economic crisis.
According to him, young Nigerians should be using their energy and creativity to pursue businesses, innovations and careers rather than considering their organs as a means of meeting basic financial needs.
He said the rising prices of food, transportation, rent, education, healthcare and electricity had intensified the pressure on households.
Atiku further alleged that some young Nigerians were being driven to sell their kidneys for amounts as low as ₦1.7 million.
“When young Nigerians begin to see their kidneys as emergency savings, we are no longer talking about ordinary economic hardship. We are talking about desperation at its most frightening,” he said.
The ADC candidate acknowledged that Nigerian laws prohibit commercial organ sales and organ trafficking but argued that legislation alone would not address the economic conditions that leave vulnerable people exposed to exploitation.
He warned that criminal networks could take advantage of people facing severe financial hardship.
Atiku said economic reforms should be measured not only by macroeconomic indicators but also by their impact on the daily lives of citizens.
“No government should celebrate ‘reforms’ while young Nigerians are being reduced to selling parts of themselves to eat, pay rent, settle school fees or survive,” he said.
He called for policies aimed at lowering the cost of food and transportation, expanding access to healthcare, creating decent employment opportunities and restoring hope among young Nigerians.
Atiku said economic reform must ultimately improve the ability of Nigerians to live with dignity rather than deepen the hardship faced by vulnerable citizens.
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