Atiku Deserves Credit for Economic Reforms Under Obasanjo” – El-Rufai

Former Kaduna Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has credited former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for spearheading economic reforms during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. El-Rufai noted that Atiku, who served as Obasanjo’s Deputy from 1999 to 2007, played a crucial role in overseeing the privatization of national assets—a process managed by the Bureau of Public Enterprises under his supervision.

During a condolence visit to the family of the late Edwin Clark, a prominent statesman and Niger Delta advocate who died on February 17, El-Rufai emphasized that Atiku’s contributions to economic policy-making have often been overlooked.

“Nobody gives Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the credit for economic policy-making under the Obasanjo administration. Many of the things we did, we did under his leadership,” El-Rufai stated. “Maybe because we don’t write about it, and people don’t read history, we tend to forget. We only remember negative things. Maybe it’s part of human nature.”

Atiku acknowledged the visit on social media, stressing the need for unity and inclusiveness as a fitting tribute to Clark’s legacy—a reminder of the enduring impact of the reforms initiated during Obasanjo’s tenure.