Nigeria Presidency Hits Back at Atiku: Proposed Reforms Would Have Hurt Nigeria

The presidency rebukes Atiku Abubakar’s proposed reforms, claiming they would have worsened Nigeria’s economy. Bayo Onanuga defends President Tinubu's decisive measures against fuel subsidies and forex market issues, asserting that Nigerians rejected Abubakar's ideas in the 2023 elections, emphasizing the need for compassionate and targeted economic policies.

In a recent statement, the presidency has sharply criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, claiming that his presidency would have led Nigeria into a “worse situation.” Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, responded to Abubakar’s assertions regarding economic reforms he would have implemented had he been elected in 2023.

Atiku had taken to social media to outline his alternative strategies, asserting that his policies would have safeguarded Nigeria's fragile economy from deeper crises by averting widespread business collapses. He voiced strong discontent with the current administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, float the exchange rate, and increase electricity tariffs, labeling these moves as excessive.

While Abubakar advocated for the removal of the petrol subsidy, he emphasized that a more gradual implementation of reforms would have been his approach. In contrast, Onanuga countered that Abubakar’s proposals lacked the necessary details and claimed that the electorate had already rejected these ideas during the 2023 presidential elections.

“Talk is cheap,” Onanuga stated, implying that while it is easy for Abubakar to present a vision for reform, the reality of governance requires more substantial and actionable plans. He elaborated on the dire state of the economy that President Tinubu inherited, highlighting that fuel subsidies were draining crucial resources and that the foreign exchange market was plagued by criminal activities.

Onanuga defended the administration's immediate and decisive actions, asserting that no responsible leader would allow such economic issues to persist without taking serious measures. He remarked that while a gradual approach may appear appealing, the time for such delays had long passed, and it was necessary to take bold steps that previous administrations had neglected.

Additionally, Onanuga acknowledged Abubakar’s call for empathetic reforms, asserting that this aligns with Tinubu's administration’s focus on protecting the vulnerable. He reiterated that the government is committed to implementing social safety nets and targeted support for those impacted by recent economic shifts.