Presidency Rebukes Atiku Abubakar Over Criticisms, Defends Tinubu's Economic Policies

Written on 11/11/2024

Legit NG

The Nigerian presidency, on Sunday, November 10, sharply criticized opposition leader Atiku Abubakar for his continuous critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Atiku, the former vice president, recently stated that he would have tackled Nigeria’s economic challenges differently if he were in power.

In response, President Tinubu asserted that his government is effectively managing the country’s affairs, especially given the difficult economic conditions he inherited in 2023.

The back-and-forth underscores the ongoing political tensions between the ruling party and the opposition over economic management strategies.

The Bola Tinubu administration has said Nigeria "was on life support" when it came to power in May 2023. Legit.ng reports that Tinubu said this on Sunday, November 10, in a statement, by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy.

It partly reads: “Atiku's critiques of Tinubu’s presidency are mere harebrained propositions devoid of realistic alternatives. He must reckon with the decades of mismanaged economy inherited by the current administration, including exorbitant subsidy expenditures far exceeding government earnings from crude oil.

"As of mid-2023, the landing cost of fuel was between N500 and N600, while it was sold nationwide at an average of N200. The 2023 budget allocated N3.36 trillion for fuel subsidies until June 2023 against a projected N2.23 trillion in oil revenue for the year. The Nigerian state was on life support."