Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has raised fresh alarm over what he described as a deepening crisis in Nigeria, declaring that worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and declining governance standards will shape his upcoming engagement with policy stakeholders in the United States.

In a statement issued Sunday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said Nigeria is grappling with a “full-blown internal crisis” that can no longer be ignored or politicised.

He pointed to persistent violence across the North-West and North-East, renewed killings in the Middle Belt, and the spread of kidnapping and criminality nationwide as evidence that the state is struggling to fulfil its primary duty of protecting lives and property.

According to him, the situation reflects a pattern of systemic failure rather than isolated incidents, with communities overrun and citizens left vulnerable.

“At this point, any government that cannot guarantee basic security forfeits the moral basis of its mandate,” he said.

On the economy, Atiku decried rising inflation, a weakened naira, and declining purchasing power, noting that millions of Nigerians are facing severe hardship.

He attributed the situation to policy inconsistency and lack of strategic direction, warning that public confidence in the economy continues to erode.

“Nigerians are not just tired; they are being stretched to their limits,” he added.

The former Vice President also expressed concern over the state of democratic institutions, cautioning that declining trust in governance, accountability, and the electoral process poses a serious threat to national stability, especially as the country approaches another election cycle.

He warned that any attempt to undermine transparency or manipulate electoral outcomes could have grave consequences for national unity and legitimacy.

Addressing criticisms surrounding his planned U.S. engagement, Atiku dismissed claims of unpatriotism, insisting that speaking honestly about Nigeria’s challenges does not amount to inviting foreign interference.

He stressed that Nigeria’s internal issues have global implications and that international partners have a legitimate interest in the country’s stability and democratic health.

“Nigeria does not exist in isolation. Responsible leadership welcomes scrutiny as a pathway to improvement,” he stated.

Atiku also delivered a direct message to the current administration, urging it to move beyond what he described as complacency and take urgent steps to restore public confidence through clear and credible strategies to tackle insecurity and economic decline.

To Nigerians, he called for vigilance and active civic engagement, stressing that meaningful change would come from within, not from external actors.

He concluded that the country stands at a critical crossroads, warning that failure to confront its challenges decisively could push Nigeria further into instability.

“The choice before us is clear — confront hard truths now or risk losing the future,” he said.