On Monday, November 11, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, saying they are causing harm to Nigerians and making life harder for citizens. Atiku said Tinubu should focus on solving the country’s problems instead of attacking the opposition, which is not in power.
Atiku’s statement, signed by his spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, was in response to the Presidency’s claim on Sunday, November 10, that Atiku’s criticism of Tinubu’s policies was driven by jealousy. Atiku disagreed, saying that the President’s policies are hurting everyday Nigerians.
He pointed to the lifting of import duty on food that Tinubu announced on July 8, 2024. Atiku said the policy still hadn’t been implemented after more than 120 days, leaving Nigerians struggling with rising food prices and inflation that is now over 40%, the highest in decades. “The failure to follow through on promises is a sign of incompetence,” Atiku said.
He also criticized Tinubu for his lack of preparation, claiming that the President’s abrupt decisions, like removing the petrol subsidy without providing an alternative, had caused more harm than good. Atiku pointed out that Tinubu’s push for a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative had failed to take off because the necessary infrastructure was not in place.
“Atiku argued that Tinubu had promised a better exchange rate but is now deceiving Nigerians about the country’s economic status, which is actually much worse. Atiku also accused the President of putting his own family members in key government positions, from the finance minister to heads of major agencies like the Central Bank and Customs, which Atiku claimed was unethical.
Atiku further criticized the President’s focus on large infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, saying it was draining resources from more urgent issues. Atiku also took aim at the increasing insecurity in the country, calling it another area where Tinubu had failed to act properly.
“Even in security, he appointed his own relatives to key positions,” Atiku said. “This is a time when the country needs strong leadership, not political games.”
Atiku ended his statement by urging Tinubu to stop playing politics and focus on the real issues affecting the people of Nigeria. “It is time for him to act,” Atiku said. “Nigerians are suffering, and the President should care more about them than about fighting his political opponents.”
Atiku also reminded Tinubu that he only had two years left in office and that now is the time to focus on improving the lives of Nigerians, rather than continuing policies that are hurting them. “The people are tired, and they need action,” Atiku concluded.
