The Nigerian presidency has issued a firm response to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing him of engaging in partisan attacks that lack factual grounding.
Atiku, in a statement marking the second anniversary of the Tinubu administration, accused the government of exacerbating poverty, prioritizing the wealthy, and engaging in wasteful expenditure. He argued that recent policies have created inequality in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
“Policy after policy under this administration has targeted the poor while providing relief and advantage to the rich,” Atiku said.
Responding swiftly, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed the former vice president’s remarks as politically driven. He said the Tinubu administration has made tangible progress that is visible to any unbiased observer.
“Unless the former vice president still resides in Dubai, he cannot deny the economic and institutional reforms we’ve implemented. Inflation is easing, food production is improving, investment is returning, and we are laying the foundation for a stronger, fairer Nigeria,” Onanuga said.
He noted that Tinubu had always been upfront about the challenges associated with his reform agenda, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates policies Onanuga said were long overdue and even acknowledged in Atiku’s own campaign manifesto.
“All three leading candidates in the 2023 election agreed on the need for these reforms. The difference is that President Tinubu had the political courage to implement them,” he added.
Addressing Atiku’s claim that the administration’s policies are “anti-people,” Onanuga pointed to various relief measures introduced to protect vulnerable citizens. These include expanded social intervention programs, support for low-income households, and a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 with some states reportedly offering up to ₦85,000.
He also highlighted the introduction of a student loan scheme designed to increase access to tertiary education. According to Onanuga, over 600,000 students have benefited from the program, which covers both tuition and living costs.
“While these loans may not apply to elite private institutions like Atiku’s American University of Nigeria, they are opening doors for many underprivileged students across the country,” he said.
Onanuga acknowledged that the reform process has presented difficulties but maintained that the government is actively working to ease the burden on Nigerians.
In closing, he downplayed Atiku’s recent political mobilization efforts and reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles, including freedom of expression.
“We welcome constructive criticism,” Onanuga said. “But the opposition should also offer solutions, not just rhetoric.”
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