Atiku Fires Back at Tinubu: Accuses President of Economic Missteps and Bigotry
Former Vice-President and 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has sharply rebutted accusations from President Bola Tinubu’s camp, rejecting claims of jealousy and incompetence. This escalating dispute follows remarks by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, who recently criticized Atiku’s economic strategies, suggesting they were disconnected from Nigeria’s current realities and reflected “grand illusions and fantasies.”
In response, Atiku’s spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, emphasized that Atiku is not envious of Tinubu but is focused on the well-being of Nigerians. Shaibu added, “Atiku does not resent Tinubu; instead, he sympathizes with Nigerians facing hardship due to Tinubu’s governance decisions.” Atiku’s camp then attacked Tinubu’s approach to governance, accusing him of incompetence and labeling his administration’s economic policies as inconsistent, unfocused, and harmful to the country.
Economic Policies and Public Backlash
Atiku criticized Tinubu’s abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy without providing viable alternatives, such as a robust compressed natural gas (CNG) program, which, according to Atiku, has floundered due to a lack of infrastructure. This hasty decision, he argued, resulted in soaring transport and food costs, deepening the financial strain on Nigerians. He also cited Tinubu’s failure to implement his own promises, like the import duty suspension on essential goods, pointing out that even after 120 days, this measure had not been enacted, worsening the country’s inflation crisis, with food prices rising over 40%.
Atiku also highlighted Tinubu’s optimistic projections in the mid-term expenditure framework as unrealistic, citing the N700/USD forecast as wildly off the mark given the economic conditions. He challenged Tinubu’s claim of a $40 billion reserve, pressing for transparency and accountability.
Security Concerns and Governance Criticism
Atiku further attacked Tinubu’s handling of security, drawing attention to the emergence of a new terror group, Lakurawa, in the North. He criticized Tinubu’s decision to concentrate security appointments within his ethnic circle, which Atiku argued sends the wrong message to Nigerians and undermines national unity. Atiku went as far as to claim that even former President Buhari, known for his own regional preferences, was less overt in his appointments.
Personal Attacks and Alleged Corruption
In his response, Shaibu also addressed what he called “cheap shots” from Tinubu’s team, referencing allegations that Tinubu had paid a settlement in a U.S. case involving drug trafficking accusations. He argued that while Tinubu’s past casts shadows over his credibility, Atiku has maintained a cleaner record. Shaibu highlighted Atiku’s position as a leader concerned with the nation’s well-being, accusing Tinubu of focusing more on personal vendettas against his political opponents than on governance.
Atiku further criticized Tinubu’s ambitious but controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, which is expected to displace numerous residents. He claimed that such projects prioritize personal interests over pressing national needs, asserting that this project is indicative of Tinubu’s “brazen disregard” for the common citizen.
Public Sentiment and Warnings
Reflecting on recent protests where some Nigerians reportedly raised Russian flags and called for military intervention, Atiku warned Tinubu to avoid driving citizens to desperation. He pointed to the severe depreciation of the Naira, Nigeria’s plummeting GDP ranking on the African continent, and an increase in hardship for the average Nigerian, arguing that Tinubu’s policies risk pushing Nigeria toward instability.
Atiku advised Tinubu to prioritize easing the economic hardships facing the populace, stressing that any perception of “wickedness” or indifference toward Nigerian citizens is Tinubu’s own doing. “Nigerians have had enough of empty promises and misdirection. It is time for Tinubu to leave behind the distractions and address the country’s worsening economic and security crises.”