Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hit back at the presidency’s recent assertion that he harbors jealousy towards President Bola Tinubu, stating that such claims are unfounded when the current administration’s economic strategies are negatively impacting the lives of Nigerians.
As the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku urged the administration to concentrate on governance rather than targeting opposition figures who are not in power. He conveyed his thoughts through a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Monday in response to the presidency’s comments.
Atiku pointed out that on July 8, 2024, Tinubu had announced a temporary suspension of import duties on essential goods like food for 150 days. However, with over 120 days passed and no action taken, he criticized the administration for allowing food inflation to exceed 40%, resulting in grave consequences for Nigerians.
He emphasized, “The blatant disregard for government policy by Tinubu’s appointees and the finance ministry’s failure to issue a gazette after four months highlight the incompetence and ineffectiveness of the Tinubu administration.”
Instead of focusing on their governance responsibilities, Atiku accused the administration of resorting to verbal attacks against opposition leaders like himself and Peter Obi, while using the judicial system to create turmoil within the opposition ranks.
Atiku further insisted that Tinubu’s lackluster performance over the past 18 months reveals his unpreparedness for the presidency, which has led to frequent policy changes. He remarked, “Tinubu’s approach appears reactive rather than proactive, as evidenced by the abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy without any safety nets.”
He criticized the subsequent introduction of the compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative, which he noted has struggled to gain traction due to inadequate gas infrastructure, resulting in rising transportation and food costs.
Additionally, Atiku expressed concern over Tinubu’s mid-term expenditure framework, which projects an exchange rate of N700/$1 by 2024 and N650/$1 by 2025. He questioned the president’s economic advisors, asserting that the true state of Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves is significantly lower than claimed.
In light of recent announcements regarding a new terrorist group named Lakurawa, Atiku deemed it unfortunate and urged the government to prioritize security improvements, which are essential for attracting investments and fostering national stability.
