In response to the presidency’s claim that he is envious of President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dismissed the allegation, arguing that Tinubu’s administration has focused more on attacking the opposition than addressing policies that are harming Nigerians.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, issued a statement through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
He highlighted how Tinubu’s economic policies have worsened conditions for ordinary Nigerians, including food inflation that has surpassed 40% — the highest in decades.
On July 8, 2024, Tinubu announced a temporary lift on import duty for essential goods, but over 120 days later, no action has been taken. Nigerians continue to struggle under the weight of rising costs while the administration delays implementation,” Atiku stated.
He criticized what he termed the administration’s “brazen disobedience to its own policies” and characterized the government as “incompetent.”
Atiku condemned Tinubu’s handling of key policy decisions, citing the abrupt fuel subsidy removal without adequate support measures.
“Tinubu acts first and thinks later,” he argued, pointing to the incomplete rollout of the CNG initiative due to insufficient infrastructure in most states.
The former Vice President also addressed concerns over national security, expressing alarm at the emergence of new terror threats and the ongoing security challenges in northern Nigeria.
He accused Tinubu of politicizing security by prioritizing appointments for his allies, contrasting this with his own inclusive leadership approach.
Further, Atiku criticized the administration’s economic projections, stating that its target exchange rates and foreign reserves claims are unrealistic.
He called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release its 2023 financial statements, suggesting that the President is misleading Nigerians.
Regarding infrastructure, Atiku questioned Tinubu’s decision to invest over $13 billion in the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway at the expense of other urgent national needs.
He warned that Nigeria’s worsening economic situation, including a currency that is now the weakest in Africa, has driven many Nigerians to desperation.
“It is ludicrous to say I’m jealous of Tinubu,” he added. “No compassionate leader envies the harm being inflicted on the Nigerian people.”
Atiku concluded by urging Tinubu to focus on improving citizens’ welfare, cautioning that failure to do so would only deepen public frustration and distrust.
