Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s governance and economic policies, accusing the administration of causing undue hardship for Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku lambasted Tinubu for neglecting pressing national issues while focusing on attacking political opponents.
Atiku expressed disappointment over Tinubu’s handling of economic reforms, noting that a promise made on July 8, 2024, to lift import duties on essential goods for 150 days remains unfulfilled over 120 days later.
Nigerians continue to suffer from spiraling food inflation, now exceeding 40%—the highest in decades,” Atiku said. He attributed this delay to the incompetence and lack of coordination among Tinubu’s appointees, including the Ministry of Finance’s failure to issue a necessary gazette.
Instead of addressing the nation’s dire economic situation, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of launching verbal attacks against opposition figures like himself and Peter Obi. “Rather than focus on governance, they are fixated on discrediting the opposition using compromised courts. It is a disgrace,” Atiku remarked.
Policy Missteps and Economic Woes
Atiku criticized Tinubu’s hasty policy decisions, pointing to the abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy as a prime example. He argued that the move was made without proper planning, leading to widespread hardship.
“Tinubu’s decision to remove the subsidy was made without considering its implications. Now, he is pushing a CNG initiative that even his ministers have refused to adopt,” Atiku stated.
The former PDP presidential candidate highlighted the failure of the CNG program due to inadequate gas infrastructure across the country. He noted that transportation costs and food prices have continued to escalate as a result.
“Tinubu’s mid-term expenditure framework projects an exchange rate of N700/$1 for 2024 and N650/$1 for 2025.
This shows a lack of realistic economic planning,” Atiku argued. He challenged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release its 2023 financial statements to verify the claimed FX reserves of $40 billion, suggesting that the net reserves are less than 20% of that figure.
Security Failures and Bigotry Allegations
Atiku expressed concern over the emergence of a new terror organization, Lakurawa, as announced by the military. He linked the rising insecurity in northern Nigeria to frequent power grid collapses caused by criminal activities. “Rather than address these pressing security issues, Tinubu has chosen to politicize security appointments, placing his kinsmen in key positions,” Atiku claimed.
The former Vice President also accused Tinubu of nepotism in economic appointments, stating, “From the finance minister to the heads of the CBN, customs, and FIRS, Tinubu’s kinsmen hold all critical positions. Even Buhari was not this blatant in his favoritism.”
In a pointed remark, Atiku declared, “Unlike Tinubu, I am not a tribal bigot. I have never had to refund money to the United States for alleged drug trafficking.”
Misplaced Priorities Amid Revenue Crisis
Atiku criticized Tinubu’s allocation of over $13 billion for the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, a project that has displaced numerous Lagos residents. “This administration prioritizes satisfying associates over addressing pressing national needs,” Atiku stated.
He urged Tinubu to focus on governance and improving Nigerians’ lives, warning that the President only has two years left in his term to make a meaningful impact. “Nigerians are tired of Tinubu’s leadership. He must act now before it’s too late,” Atiku advised.
Atiku Denies Jealousy Claims, Accuses Tinubu of Callousness
Responding to claims that he is envious of Tinubu’s position, Atiku retorted, “It is ludicrous to suggest that I am jealous of Tinubu. I cannot envy a leader who is inflicting pain on Nigerians. Wickedness is the exclusive domain of Tinubu, much like T-Pain’s monopoly on his craft.”
Atiku also expressed alarm over recent protests where young Nigerians were seen waving Russian flags and calling for military intervention.
“God forbid that we return to the dark days of military rule. However, leaders must not push citizens to a point where they prefer the fire over the frying pan,” he warned.
He concluded by noting that the naira is currently Africa’s worst-performing currency, and Nigeria’s economy has plummeted from being the largest on the continent to the fifth largest since the All Progressives Congress (APC) took power in 2015.
“Most Nigerians are struggling to find their next meal. This should be Tinubu’s primary concern, not engaging in political grandstanding while the nation burns,” Atiku declared
