Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the fuel subsidy issue, referring to him as “TPain” in a tweet posted on Thursday.
Atiku blamed Nigeria’s economic struggles on what he described as the “haphazard and disingenuous approach” taken by the Tinubu administration to manage the subsidy.
In his public statement, Atiku expressed deep concern over the country’s soaring inflation, which he said is severely affecting the quality of life for Nigerians. He also voiced frustration that despite the growing hardships, the president appears indifferent to the suffering of citizens.
Atiku stated: “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. As things stand, there will be no letup in the escalating inflation rate, which is drowning the material well-being of Nigerians.”
He added, “It is even more worrying that T-pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country.”
The nickname “TPain” for Tinubu has gained traction online, particularly as public frustration grows over the rising cost of living. It combines the first letter of Tinubu’s name with the moniker of American rapper and producer T-Pain, reflecting the economic “pain” many Nigerians associate with the president’s policies.
According to reports from Peoples Gazette, the term first appeared on social media as early as April 2024. However, it gained widespread usage around mid-September when a user on the platform X (formerly Twitter) used it during discussions on Tinubu’s visit to Maiduguri, where he consoled flood victims.
Since then, “TPain” has become a popular expression of dissatisfaction on social media platforms such as X and Instagram, symbolizing public discontent over the president’s economic management.
As inflation continues to rise and public disapproval grows, the nickname seems to reflect a broader critique of Tinubu’s leadership amid one of the country’s most significant economic challenges.