Tinubu-led administration has strongly criticized the economic proposals put forth by Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a recent statement, the administration contended that Atiku’s approach would have led the nation into a more severe economic crisis.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, addressed Atiku’s remarks regarding President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms in a statement titled “Our Initial Response to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.” Onanuga described Atiku’s proposals as “untested” and devoid of substantial detail.
“Alhaji Atiku’s ideas, which lacked details, were rejected by Nigerians in the 2023 poll,” Onanuga stated. He expressed a firm belief that if Atiku had won the election, he would have placed Nigeria in a worse situation or perpetuated a regime of cronyism.
The presidency also accused Atiku, who served as Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo, of overseeing a “questionable privatisation programme.” According to Onanuga, this led to the deterioration of Nigeria’s educational system while he and Obasanjo established private universities.
“He and his boss demonstrated a lack of faith in our educational system, and both went to establish their universities while they allowed ours to flounder,” said Onanuga, emphasizing the perceived neglect of public education during Atiku’s tenure.
Reflecting on Atiku’s campaign promises, Onanuga asserted, “Abubakar lost the election partly because he vowed to sell the NNPC and other assets to his friends.” He added that Nigerians have not forgotten this proposal, which he believes contributed to Atiku’s defeat.
Onanuga further criticized Atiku’s past performance, stating, “Nigerians would not be comforted by Atiku’s antecedents when he ran the economy in the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government between 1999 and 2003.” He indicated that this historical context affects how Atiku’s proposals are perceived today.
Addressing Atiku’s suggestion for gradual economic reforms, the presidency argued that such an approach reflects a disconnect with the current challenges facing the Tinubu administration. “While advocating for gradual reforms may sound appealing, Tinubu took measures that should have been taken decades ago by Alhaji Abubakar and his boss when they had the opportunity,” Onanuga remarked.
He emphasized that Tinubu has “consistently emphasized the need for compassion and protection of the most vulnerable.” The administration has targeted social safety nets to assist those adversely affected by recent reforms.
In conclusion, Onanuga stated, “Talk is cheap. It is easy to pontificate and deride a rival’s programmes even when there are irrefutable indices that the economic reforms yield positives despite the temporary difficulties.” He underscored that Tinubu’s approach is designed to address deep-seated economic issues.
The Special Adviser characterized recent measures taken by the Tinubu administration, such as the elimination of fuel subsidies and tackling forex market irregularities, as “surgical” steps essential for Nigeria’s financial stability.
