Presidency Dismisses Atiku’s Critiques, Defends Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

On Sunday, the Presidency dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s qualifications for Nigeria’s presidency, attributing his loss in the 2023 elections to “arrogance, insensitivity, and disregard” for Nigeria’s challenges.

Atiku’s call for a consultation period before removing subsidies was criticized, with the Presidency claiming it showed “a troubling lack of awareness regarding the state of the economy.”

Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released a statement titled, “Time for Atiku Abubakar to end his grand illusions and fantasies,” responding to Atiku’s critique of Tinubu’s economic policies.

Atiku had described Tinubu’s reforms as “trial-and-error,” suggesting they imposed severe hardships on Nigerians. He also shared his ideas for handling issues like subsidy removal and insecurity, arguing that his recommendations were “in the interest of Nigerians.”

Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu eliminated the fuel subsidy and unified the foreign exchange system, leading to noticeable increases in the costs of essentials. In a tweet titled “What We Would Have Done Differently,” Atiku outlined alternative solutions for Nigeria’s pressing issues.

However, the Presidency rebuked Atiku, suggesting he lacked “the ability to engage with the pressing economic realities.”

Onanuga commented on Atiku’s post-election behavior, suggesting he is more interested in undermining President Tinubu than addressing issues within his own party. Onanuga also highlighted Atiku’s loss in six presidential bids and questioned the popularity of his economic proposals.

“If his plan lacked popular appeal, he must acknowledge that merely repackaging it will not resolve the social and economic challenges his party left behind,” Onanuga argued.

The Presidency asserted that a consultation period, as Atiku proposed, wouldn’t address Nigeria’s immediate economic needs.

It further criticized Atiku’s sense of entitlement, citing his accusation that Tinubu “stole his presidency” as evidence of a disconnect with Nigerian voters.

The statement emphasized that Tinubu’s administration has taken proactive measures to address inherited economic issues and improve revenue generation.

The removal of fuel subsidies, which previously cost the government more than it earned from oil, has redirected funds to infrastructure and social programs. The Presidency argued that Atiku’s call for privatizing refineries was impractical, pointing out that the Tinubu administration’s model of working with private sector managers was more beneficial.

Atiku’s critiques of Tinubu’s administration, including his allegations of corruption, were dismissed by the Presidency, which highlighted Atiku’s own history of corruption allegations. The Presidency also argued that Atiku’s phased-out subsidy removal proposal was outdated and unfeasible.

To counter the effects of subsidy removal, Tinubu’s government has implemented social programs targeting 20 million Nigerians, along with other initiatives such as student loans and the Presidential CNG Initiative.

The Presidency dismissed Atiku’s foreign exchange proposal as flawed, maintaining that Tinubu’s reforms were necessary and corrective.

The statement concluded by urging Atiku to abandon his “politics of distraction” and focus on constructive discourse, asserting that President Tinubu remains committed to addressing Nigeria’s real challenges and guiding the nation toward prosperity.