The Presidency has responded strongly to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s critical remarks on the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, stating that it is only those “playing blind” who fail to see the government’s progress over the past two years.
Atiku, in his two-year anniversary statement on the current administration, accused the Tinubu government of worsening poverty levels and setting new records in reckless public spending.
But in a firm rebuttal, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Atiku’s remarks lacked objectivity and were driven by personal animosity.
“Unless Atiku allowed personal grievances to cloud his judgment, he should, in good conscience, acknowledge the significant progress and positive achievements made by this administration over the past two years,” Onanuga said.
He argued that the Tinubu administration had made measurable strides in stabilising the economy and laying the groundwork for long-term national development.
“We have made progress. Inflation is easing, food production is rising, investments are returning, and the foundation for a more prosperous, just, and inclusive Nigeria is being laid. These gains are in plain sight for everyone. Only those who play blind will not see them,” Onanuga added.
Taking a direct swipe at Atiku, Onanuga suggested that the former Vice President may be out of touch with realities on the ground.
“Unless Atiku still lives in Dubai, he ought to admit that in just two years, President Tinubu’s administration had embarked on the most ambitious and audacious economic and institutional reforms ever seen in decades.”
Onanuga reminded critics that Tinubu had never promised the reforms would be painless, but insisted they were necessary to rescue the country from economic collapse.
“During the campaign, Tinubu never promised that the reforms would be painless. But he was clear they were necessary to rescue the country from the brink of fiscal collapse, to reverse years of unsustainable spending and lay a solid foundation for long-term inclusive growth.”
He further argued that President Tinubu had implemented reforms that previous administrations, including the Obasanjo-Atiku era, failed to act upon.
“The removal of the fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange system were steps successive administrations, including that of Obasanjo-Atiku Abubakar, acknowledged as necessary but failed to implement.”
Atiku promised the reforms in his manifesto. Indeed, all three major candidates in the election agreed they must be done, except that the responsibility to implement the reforms fell on President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 election.”
Onanuga highlighted the government’s fiscal achievements and economic credibility in the international market.
“Unlike Atiku and some critics, everyone agrees that the reforms have stabilised government finances, curbed systemic corruption, and enabled direct investments into social programmes and infrastructure.”
“Foreign investors now see Nigeria as an irresistible destination. Since 2023, the Nigerian Exchange has seen its ASI jump from 50,000 to over 110,000, and market capitalisation has increased to N69.4 trillion, from about N30 trillion before Tinubu’s ascension.”
In response to Atiku’s criticism that the government is “anti-people,” the Presidential spokesman pointed to efforts made to support low-income earners and the vulnerable.
“Contrary to Atiku’s claim that government policies are ‘anti-people,’ the Tinubu administration, fully acknowledging that its policies affect the vulnerable, has increased investments in social safety nets, introduced targeted interventions for low-income households, and more than doubled the minimum wage, from N30k to N70k. Some states even pay up to N85k to their workers, a feat made possible by increased federal allocations.”
Atiku’s comment about the cost of education also came under fire, as Onanuga defended the administration’s efforts to make higher education more accessible.
“Atiku’s claim that education was out of reach for poor Nigerians was entirely off the mark. Everyone knows the claim is false; it’s just an attempt to throw any muck at Bola Tinubu.”
“Since last year, the government has introduced the Student Loan Scheme to ensure that underprivileged children are not denied education because of poverty.”
“As of the last count, over 600,000 Nigerian students have benefitted from the loans. The loans cover the students’ school fees and living allowances.”
“The loans do not yet cover Nigerians in expensive schools like Atiku’s American University in Yola. What is undeniable is that under Bola Tinubu, higher education is now more accessible to deserving youths.”
Onanuga concluded by assuring that President Tinubu would not suppress dissent, but urged for more responsible criticism.
“Atiku and his co-travellers in the coalition party he is cobbling together need not worry about their democratic rights. As an acknowledged democrat, President Tinubu will not curtail their rights or silence them.”
“Criticism must be elevated and constructive. When Atiku opposes government policies, he should also offer a solution. Otherwise, his opposition statements will be dismissed as mere partisan rhetoric and cheap talk.”
