The Presidency has launched a blistering critique of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as fundamentally unqualified to lead Nigeria and dismissing his economic proposals as mere “grand illusions and fantasies.” This sharp rebuke came through a comprehensive statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information & Strategy.
The strongly-worded statement takes aim at Atiku’s recent political positioning and his repeated unsuccessful bids for the presidency, painting a picture of a politician allegedly more focused on undermining the current administration than addressing his own party’s internal challenges. The Presidency’s intervention appears to be a direct response to Atiku’s recent critiques of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies.
According to Onanuga, Atiku’s behavior since his defeat in the 2023 presidential election suggests a pattern of political opportunism driven by personal ambition rather than national interest. “Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown more interest in undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than in addressing his party’s implosion,” the statement declared, suggesting that Atiku’s actions are motivated by envy of Tinubu’s position an office he has unsuccessfully sought six times.
The Presidency’s criticism extends beyond personal attacks to challenge the substance of Atiku’s economic proposals. The administration particularly took issue with what it characterized as Atiku’s hypothetical approach to governance, embodied in his narrative “What We Would Have Done Differently.” The statement dismisses these proposals as disconnected from Nigeria’s current economic realities and the urgent reforms being implemented under President Tinubu’s leadership.
One of the most pointed criticisms in the statement addresses Atiku’s suggestion of a consultation period upon assuming office. The Presidency argues that such an approach demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the immediate action required to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. While he suggests a consultation period upon assuming office, the reality is that the Nigerian economy requires immediate and decisive action. A leader must be prepared to tackle challenges from Day One, as President Tinubu has done,” the statement emphasizes.
The administration’s response also touches on deeper political issues, particularly regarding power rotation between Nigeria’s North and South. The statement criticizes Atiku’s decision to contest the presidency despite his party’s traditional power-sharing arrangements, especially following eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s northern presidency. This, according to the Presidency, reflects both arrogance and insensitivity to Nigeria’s diverse nature.
In a particularly sharp rebuke, the statement addresses Atiku’s claims about the 2023 election results. Atiku, going further to accuse President Tinubu of ‘stealing his presidency,’ exposed his sense of entitlement and his disconnect from the electorate,” the statement declares, firmly asserting that Tinubu’s victory was legitimate and earned through the democratic process.
The Presidency’s statement also draws historical comparisons, referencing Atiku’s time as vice president under President Olusegun Obasanjo. It suggests that the current administration arrived with a more comprehensive and immediate action plan to address longstanding economic challenges that persisted during Atiku’s tenure in office.
Looking forward, the administration’s message to Atiku is clear: focus on constructive discourse rather than what it terms “politics of distraction and fantasies.” The statement concludes with a firm assertion that President Tinubu remains focused on leading Nigeria toward a prosperous future and addressing the nation’s real challenges.
The timing and tone of this presidential response signal a potentially new phase in the ongoing political discourse surrounding Nigeria’s economic reforms and leadership. While the Presidency’s statement is unequivocal in its criticism of Atiku, it also serves to reinforce the administration’s commitment to its current economic reform agenda.
This public exchange between the Presidency and the former Vice President highlights the continuing tensions in Nigerian politics, particularly regarding economic policy and leadership approach. As the country navigates through significant economic reforms, this confrontation between current and former political leaders underscores the challenges of building consensus around national development strategies.
The Presidency’s strong stance against Atiku’s criticisms suggests that the administration is prepared to robustly defend its policies and approach to governance, while also questioning the credibility of its critics. This development adds another layer to Nigeria’s complex political narrative as the country continues to grapple with significant economic challenges under President Tinubu’s leadership.
