Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing counterattack against President Bola Tinubu’s policies, accusing them of exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. Atiku’s spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, emphasized that Atiku’s concerns stem from a genuine desire to alleviate the hardships faced by millions, rather than personal rivalry or jealousy .
Atiku cited Tinubu’s unfulfilled promise to temporarily remove import duties on essential goods, which has contributed to record-high inflation and food prices skyrocketing over 40% in recent months. He criticized Tinubu’s appointees for disregarding government orders and the finance ministry’s failure to enact policies promptly.
– Inconsistent Economic Policies: Atiku argued that Tinubu’s actions have led to confusion and hardship for citizens, citing the abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy and the ineffective Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative.
– Lack of Transparency: Atiku challenged the government to release the Central Bank’s 2023 financial statements to provide transparency on the country’s foreign reserves.
– Poor Governance: Atiku condemned the administration’s focus on verbally assaulting opposition leaders, including himself and Peter Obi, rather than addressing the country’s economic challenges.
In response to the Presidency’s accusations of jealousy, Atiku’s camp emphasized that he is not a bigot and refunded money to the US for alleged drug trafficking. Atiku urged Tinubu to focus on effective governance, rather than attacks on opposition figures.
