‘Calabash Of Pepper Vs Calabash Of Honey’: Atiku, Aide Fire Back At Tinubu, Accuse Him Of Creating Poverty

The African Democratic Congress presidential campaign council has fired back at President Bola Tinubu over his recent criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing the President of creating poverty and describing his leadership as a “calabash of pepper.”

The statement was issued on Saturday by the Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following Tinubu’s remarks at the APC rally in Port Harcourt, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE ATTACK

Shaibu did not mince words.”You created poverty, then insult the people suffering from it,” he said. “You attack my Affordable Life campaign, but the people you are really attacking are the millions of Nigerians desperate for relief from your failed leadership”.

He invoked a Yoruba cultural expression to contrast Tinubu’s leadership with what Atiku was offering.

“Bola, Nigerians have tested your leadership. The verdict is clear: you are a disaster. In Yoruba culture, I am told, a calabash of pepper represents hostile leadership, while a calabash of honey represents hospitable leadership. Yours is a calabash of pepper,” he said .

THE SUBSIDY PLEDGE

Shaibu also faulted Tinubu’s position on petrol subsidy, declaring that an Atiku-led administration would introduce what he described as a transparent, production-based subsidy tied to local fuel refining.

“You say Nigeria will never return to subsidised petrol prices. You are wrong. By the grace of the Almighty and with the mandate of the Nigerian people, I will restore a transparent, production-based subsidy tied to the local refining of fuel,” he stated.

He added that the proposed policy would reduce energy costs, including the prices of petrol and diesel, while promising increased investment in social welfare programmes.

THE BALLOT THREAT

Shaibu accused the President of attempting to prevent Atiku from appearing on the 2027 presidential ballot, insisting that the former vice president would contest and defeat him.

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“You want me off the ballot at all costs, but the will of the Nigerian people will prevail. I will be on that ballot, and I will beat you decisively,” he said

WHY IT MATTERS

The exchange between the Atiku campaign and the Presidency is a window into the tone of the 2027 campaign.

Tinubu opened his re-election bid by blaming the opposition for the hunger Nigerians are facing. Atiku has responded by blaming Tinubu for creating the hunger and accusing him of hostile leadership.

Both men are making the same argument: the other is responsible for Nigeria’s economic misery. The voters will decide who they believe.

The campaign has begun. The insults have started. And the calabash of pepper is now part of Nigeria’s political lexicon. ValidViewNetwork reports.