President Bola Tinubu to his recent proposal addressing the nation’s pressing economic challenges. In a statement released Monday, Atiku described the Tinubu government’s reaction as “uncharitable” and voiced concern over its indifference to constructive criticism. His comments came after the presidency swiftly dismissed his recommendations, calling them insincere and untested.
Atiku had initially shared his alternative solutions to the nation’s challenges in a statement titled “What We Would Have Done Differently” on Sunday. In the document, he analyzed Nigeria’s current economic state and suggested strategic policies to improve governance under the administration of President Tinubu. His proposal focused on addressing the nation’s fiscal issues, reducing taxation, and fostering economic growth through alternative methods.
The Tinubu administration, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, quickly responded by attacking Atiku’s suggestions. The presidency accused Atiku of insincerity and blamed the long-standing economic issues in Nigeria on the failed policies of the previous government, where Atiku served as vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The administration’s response also sought to deflect attention from its own policy challenges by highlighting the shortcomings of the Obasanjo/Atiku years.
In his Monday statement, Atiku expressed dismay over the “striking disparity” between the economic policies proposed by his team and the current approach of the Tinubu administration. He accused the government of lacking a coherent plan and of hastily ascending to power without any clear strategy. Atiku specifically pointed to the current economic turmoil as evidence of the administration’s failure to adequately address the country’s problems.
Atiku’s frustration was evident as he remarked, “Isn’t it fascinating how the so-called ‘tested’ Tinubu administration’s only policy response seems to be a national prayer led by the First Lady and the NSA? Just a mere 24 hours after I proposed my alternative solutions! What a bold strategy!” He further noted that while prayer is an important practice, it must be accompanied by diligent labor and hard work, something he believes the Tinubu administration has yet to demonstrate.
He also criticized the government’s approach to economic recovery, which he described as erratic and experimental. “It is uncharitable for Tinubu’s team to claim that my proposals remain untested,” Atiku stated. “What remains unproven is the erratic, trial-and-error nature of the policies so far implemented by this administration, which elucidates our present predicament.” He emphasized that the country’s current economic troubles were a direct result of the government’s lack of a sound and sustainable policy.
In further elaborating on his criticisms, Atiku compared the economic performance of the Obasanjo/Atiku administration with that of the current Tinubu government. He pointed to the significant growth Nigeria experienced between 1999 and 2003, under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo, during which the country saw an average GDP growth rate of 6.59%. By contrast, he noted, the Tinubu administration has struggled to achieve even modest growth, with the current GDP growth rate languishing at just 2.8%.
Atiku also highlighted the importance of fostering economic growth through lower taxation, citing the success of nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Monaco, which have become economic powerhouses by focusing on growth through favorable tax policies. He questioned why the Tinubu administration continues to push for higher taxes, despite the evident hardships faced by the Nigerian populace. “We cannot hope to tax our way out of the economic quagmire wrought by these misguided experimental policies,” he said.
Finally, Atiku took a pointed jab at the legitimacy of the 2023 presidential election, asserting that the Nigerian people were fully aware that he did not lose the election. “The election was criminally stolen from the Nigerian people,” he stated, implying that the current challenges faced by the nation were a direct consequence of the electoral process he believes was unfairly conducted. His remarks suggest that the perceived lack of legitimacy of the Tinubu government further compounds the country’s economic woes.
Atiku had initially shared his alternative solutions to the nation’s challenges in a statement titled “What We Would Have Done Differently” on Sunday. In the document, he analyzed Nigeria’s current economic state and suggested strategic policies to improve governance under the administration of President Tinubu. His proposal focused on addressing the nation’s fiscal issues, reducing taxation, and fostering economic growth through alternative methods.
The Tinubu administration, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, quickly responded by attacking Atiku’s suggestions. The presidency accused Atiku of insincerity and blamed the long-standing economic issues in Nigeria on the failed policies of the previous government, where Atiku served as vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The administration’s response also sought to deflect attention from its own policy challenges by highlighting the shortcomings of the Obasanjo/Atiku years.
In his Monday statement, Atiku expressed dismay over the “striking disparity” between the economic policies proposed by his team and the current approach of the Tinubu administration. He accused the government of lacking a coherent plan and of hastily ascending to power without any clear strategy. Atiku specifically pointed to the current economic turmoil as evidence of the administration’s failure to adequately address the country’s problems.
Atiku’s frustration was evident as he remarked, “Isn’t it fascinating how the so-called ‘tested’ Tinubu administration’s only policy response seems to be a national prayer led by the First Lady and the NSA? Just a mere 24 hours after I proposed my alternative solutions! What a bold strategy!” He further noted that while prayer is an important practice, it must be accompanied by diligent labor and hard work, something he believes the Tinubu administration has yet to demonstrate.
He also criticized the government’s approach to economic recovery, which he described as erratic and experimental. “It is uncharitable for Tinubu’s team to claim that my proposals remain untested,” Atiku stated. “What remains unproven is the erratic, trial-and-error nature of the policies so far implemented by this administration, which elucidates our present predicament.” He emphasized that the country’s current economic troubles were a direct result of the government’s lack of a sound and sustainable policy.
In further elaborating on his criticisms, Atiku compared the economic performance of the Obasanjo/Atiku administration with that of the current Tinubu government. He pointed to the significant growth Nigeria experienced between 1999 and 2003, under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo, during which the country saw an average GDP growth rate of 6.59%. By contrast, he noted, the Tinubu administration has struggled to achieve even modest growth, with the current GDP growth rate languishing at just 2.8%.
Atiku also highlighted the importance of fostering economic growth through lower taxation, citing the success of nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Monaco, which have become economic powerhouses by focusing on growth through favorable tax policies. He questioned why the Tinubu administration continues to push for higher taxes, despite the evident hardships faced by the Nigerian populace. “We cannot hope to tax our way out of the economic quagmire wrought by these misguided experimental policies,” he said.
Finally, Atiku took a pointed jab at the legitimacy of the 2023 presidential election, asserting that the Nigerian people were fully aware that he did not lose the election. “The election was criminally stolen from the Nigerian people,” he stated, implying that the current challenges faced by the nation were a direct consequence of the electoral process he believes was unfairly conducted. His remarks suggest that the perceived lack of legitimacy of the Tinubu government further compounds the country’s economic woes.
