The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, has reacted to the report of Argentina’s economy being better than that of Nigeria.
Ongra stated that President Bola Tinubu cannot be compard to his Argentina counterpart, Javier Milei.
He noted that Nigeria has a better economy than Argentina, adding that the South American country’s inflation has risen to 254% in January 2024 since the emergence of its new president, Javier Milei.
Recall that President Tinubu was advised by Atiku’s camp to take a cue from Milei in the implementation of economic reforms.
Ogra, however, countered this point, showing different data indicating a decline in Argentina’s economy since the emergence of Milei.
He said, “I would like to start by first saying – respectfully, that Nigeria is not Argentina, and President Tinubu is not the President of Argentina.
“I therefore advise a closer look at the data—lest we forget that even a broken clock is right twice a day.”
Highlighting relevant data to demonstrate his point, Ogra explained that Argentine inflation rates jumped to 254% in January 2024 – the highest level since 1990.
He added that economic activity in Argentina fell 2.5% year on year according to a Reuters survey.
Aside from car registrations in Argentina declining by 33% year-on-year in January, retail sales in Argentina fell by 25.5% year-on-year in January.
Meanwhile, construction activity in Argentina decreased by 28.2%
in January, cement deliveries and motorcycle registrations also saw significant declines and national taxes linked to economic activity across Argentina fell between 15% and 25% annually on a real basis while food sales in retail stores fell 37.1% year-on-year in January.
“Alhaji Atiku, your statement is perplexing. Your critique of President Tinubu’s administration, while glorifying Argentina’s dire situation, is akin to applauding the captain of the Titanic for its speed, ignoring the iceberg dead ahead I understand the allure of sensational headlines and the temptation to draw parallels where none exist, but let’s be clear: Nigeria is not Argentina, and President Tinubu is not President Milei.
“Let me be clear: President Tinubu will continue to prioritize the well-being of Nigerian citizens over the
theatrics of austerity masquerading as reform,” he added.
