Presidency Reacts to Atiku’s Proposed Economic Solutions for Nigeria

In a strong response to recent comments made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidency has asserted that Nigerians made a clear choice for President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms over Atiku’s proposals during the 2023 elections. This statement, released by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser for Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, was issued following Atiku’s criticism of the administration’s handling of key reforms.

Atiku, who lost to Tinubu in the 2023 polls, recently stated he would have managed certain reforms differently to reduce the impact on Nigerians struggling with rising costs. He criticized the abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira, arguing instead for a “gradualist approach.” Atiku said he would have phased out the subsidy slowly and privatized the state-owned refineries, rather than using public funds to repair them.

Responding to these claims, Onanuga dismissed Atiku’s proposals as “untested” and claimed Nigerians had already “rejected” them by choosing Tinubu. He contended that Atiku’s ideas would have worsened Nigeria’s economic situation or fostered “a regime of cronyism,” citing the former Vice President’s record on privatization during his tenure under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

Onanuga went on to suggest that Atiku’s campaign pledge to sell the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was part of what cost him the election. He accused Atiku and his administration of “allowing national education to decline” while personally investing in private educational institutions.

In the statement, Onanuga defended President Tinubu’s economic strategy, saying it addressed “long-neglected issues” including the high costs of fuel subsidies and exploitation in the foreign exchange market. He argued that while Atiku calls for “empathy” in reforms, the Tinubu administration has made targeted efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians through social safety measures during this economic transition.

“While gradual reforms might sound appealing, President Tinubu acted decisively to tackle problems that should have been addressed decades ago,” Onanuga stated, noting that Tinubu has emphasized “compassion” and “support” for those affected.