The Presidency has issued a strong rebuke to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging him to abandon “politics of distraction and fantasies” and focus on constructive dialogue.
This response follows Atiku’s recent critiques of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which the Presidency dismissed as “harebrained propositions devoid of realistic alternatives.”
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the Presidency advised Atiku to present realistic alternatives if he disagrees with the administration’s reforms, reminding him that Nigerians “soundly rejected” his ideas during the 2023 Presidential Election. “Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown more interest in undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than in addressing his party’s implosion,” the statement read. “We suspect he is envious of Tinubu’s position—an office he has unsuccessfully sought six times.”
Atiku’s claim of having better economic solutions than Tinubu’s administration was dismissed as impractical. According to the statement, “Atiku’s economic analysis demonstrates a significant misunderstanding of Nigeria’s realities. His narrative, ‘What We Would Have Done Differently,’ indicates an inability to engage with the pressing economic realities being revitalised under President Tinubu’s leadership.”
The statement emphasized that Nigeria’s economy demands “immediate and decisive action,” which it credited Tinubu with taking from “Day One.” The Presidency criticized Atiku’s proposal for a “consultation period,” contending that such an approach would have delayed urgently needed economic reforms. It argued that Tinubu’s swift action stands in contrast to Atiku’s suggested approach, stating, “The Nigerian economy requires immediate and decisive action. A leader must be prepared to tackle challenges from Day One, as President Tinubu has done.”
Referring to Atiku’s accusations of Tinubu “stealing his presidency,” the statement called this a display of “entitlement” and “disconnection from the electorate.” “The truth is that Tinubu rightfully won the presidency,” it said, further criticizing Atiku’s alleged insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and the disregard of his party’s power rotation arrangement.
The Presidency’s response also covered Atiku’s economic policies, labeling his idea to privatize refineries as unoriginal and impractical. It recalled that during Atiku’s tenure as vice president, public assets were sold at low prices, leading to “dead assets.” In contrast, the statement praised Tinubu’s approach to revitalizing refineries, supporting modular refineries, and investing in the Dangote Refinery to secure local production and stabilize prices.
Additionally, the Presidency defended its controversial removal of fuel subsidies, saying the move saved N5.4 trillion in 2024, funds now allocated for infrastructure and social intervention programs. It claimed that the subsidy removal, while initially painful, was necessary to address economic challenges, a decision it said Atiku could not challenge because he “knows that the reform was necessary and correct.”
The statement also addressed Atiku’s proposal for a managed float exchange rate system, which it criticized as outdated and ineffective. According to the Presidency, “Atiku should remember that a managed float is also known as a dirty float because of its inherent flaws.”
In response to allegations of corruption within the NNPC, the statement argued that subsidy removal has significantly reduced corruption, adding, “President Tinubu’s removal of this subsidy eliminated the most significant incentive for corruption within the NNPC.” It pointed out what it described as irony in Atiku’s criticism, referencing past corruption allegations against him and his associates.
Summing up, the statement urged Atiku to “purge himself of the petty, derisive politics of a sore loser” and instead contribute constructively. The administration outlined its active social programs, including cash transfers to 20 million vulnerable Nigerians, student loans, and the Presidential CNG Initiative, noting that these initiatives began within Tinubu’s first year in office.
In a closing note, the Presidency emphasized, “President Tinubu remains focused on leading Nigeria toward a prosperous future and addressing our nation’s real challenges. Atiku Abubakar should abandon his politics of distraction and fantasies and focus on constructive discourse.”
