President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intensified his criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, attributing many of Nigeria’s current economic and governance challenges to decisions made during Atiku’s time in office.
While addressing a public gathering on Friday, Tinubu emphasized that his administration is focused on addressing the issues allegedly left by previous governments, including the one in which Atiku served from 1999 to 2007.
In response to Atiku’s recent critiques, the President stated that the difficult reforms currently underway are necessary due to inadequacies and policy choices inherited from prior administrations.
“I’m addressing the problems you left behind as Vice President,” Tinubu asserted, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to reviving the economy despite the challenges posed by ongoing reforms.
The President defended key economic initiatives introduced by his government, such as the elimination of the fuel subsidy, adjustments to the exchange rate, tax reforms, and efforts to boost government revenue. He explained that although these policies have imposed short-term difficulties on Nigerians, they are crucial for stabilizing the fiscal situation and attracting investment.
Tinubu pointed out that his administration inherited significant economic hurdles, including rising public debt, decreasing revenues, foreign exchange instability, and an unsustainable subsidy system. He stated that reversing these necessary reforms would not be considered as they are crucial for Nigeria’s long-term economic recovery.
This latest exchange adds another chapter to the escalating political rivalry between Tinubu and Atiku. Both have frequently exchanged accusations about Nigeria’s economic state and governance since the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku has consistently criticized Tinubu’s administration over issues like inflation, the increasing cost of living, unemployment, and insecurity. He argues that the government’s economic policies have exacerbated the difficulties faced by millions of Nigerians and has urged the President to reconsider his strategies and implement measures that would quickly alleviate citizens’ hardships.
Supporters of Tinubu maintain that the current administration is dealing with deep-rooted structural challenges and needs time to carry out reforms aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth.
Political analysts suggest that this renewed exchange highlights the intensifying political climate as the 2027 general elections approach, with both leaders trying to influence public opinion on Nigeria’s economic future.
As of this report, Atiku Abubakar has not issued a formal response to Tinubu’s latest remarks.
