The Presidency issued a strong critique of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday, challenging his advocacy for gradual economic reforms in contrast to President Bola Tinubu’s direct approach. The statement, released by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, argued that Atiku’s proposals would have exacerbated Nigeria’s current economic difficulties.
“While advocating for gradual reforms may sound appealing, Tinubu took measures that should have been implemented decades ago by Alhaji Abubakar and his boss [Olusegun Obasanjo] when they had the opportunity,” Onanuga stated. This response was in light of a recent tweet from Atiku, where he criticized Tinubu’s policies as “trial-and-error economic policies,” attributing the ongoing hardships faced by Nigerians to these reforms.
In his tweet titled “What We Would Have Done Differently,” Atiku, who served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, proposed solutions aimed at addressing insecurity and mitigating the impacts of subsidy removal on the public. Despite his lack of current office, Atiku insisted that his suggestions were “in the interest of Nigerians.”
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has implemented significant changes, including the end of the fuel subsidy regime and the unification of the foreign exchange rate. However, these reforms have led to rising prices for essential goods, prompting widespread concern among Nigerians.
Onanuga countered Atiku’s criticism, stating, “It is easy to pontificate and criticise a rival’s programmes even when there is clear evidence that the economic reforms are yielding positive results despite the temporary difficulties.” He emphasized that Atiku’s proposals lacked the detailed planning necessary to address the challenges at hand.
The Presidency further asserted that Atiku’s ideas were previously rejected by the electorate in the 2023 election. “Had he won, we believe he would have plunged Nigeria into a worse situation or overseen a regime of cronyism,” Onanuga wrote, referencing Atiku’s controversial vow to sell the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and other assets.
Onanuga continued, “Abubakar lost the election partly because he vowed to sell the NNPC and other assets to his friends. Nigerians have not forgotten this, nor would they be comforted by Atiku’s track record when he managed the economy during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s first term.”
Criticism of Atiku’s tenure was directed towards his oversight of a “questionable privatisation programme” and his administration’s lack of investment in the educational sector. “He and his boss showed little faith in our educational system, establishing their universities while allowing others to decline,” the statement asserted.
The statement indicated that Atiku’s call for gradual reforms revealed a lack of understanding of the urgent issues that President Tinubu inherited. “It is easy to present a flowery to-do list, as is expected from an election loser,” Onanuga remarked.
The Presidency emphasized the severity of the challenges facing the country, stating, “President Tinubu encountered a country facing numerous serious challenges. Fuel subsidies were draining resources we could not afford, and there was rampant profiteering in the forex market.”
Onanuga concluded that no responsible leader would allow dysfunctional fuel subsidies and market arbitrage to persist without decisive action. “Alhaji Abubakar calls for empathy and a human approach to reforms. We have no issue with this, as it aligns with our administration’s priorities.”
In closing, the statement highlighted President Tinubu’s commitment to compassion and support for vulnerable populations. “The administration has prioritised social safety nets and targeted support for those affected by recent economic transitions,” the statement concluded, reinforcing the administration’s focus on addressing the needs of Nigerians during these challenging times.
