Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he harbors jealousy toward President Bola Tinubu, accusing Tinubu of implementing policies that have brought hardship to Nigerians.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku criticized Tinubu’s economic approach, alleging that the administration’s policies have exacerbated inflation and raised the cost of living for Nigerians. “It is ludicrous to claim that I am jealous of Tinubu,” Atiku said. “No compassionate leader would envy the current situation under his governance.”
Atiku specifically referenced Tinubu’s July 2024 promise to suspend import duties on essential goods for 150 days. Over 120 days later, Atiku claims the policy has yet to take effect, leading to increased food inflation, now exceeding 40%. He called the administration’s inaction “a reflection of incompetence,” adding that Tinubu’s administration appears more focused on criticizing opposition figures like himself and Peter Obi than on addressing the nation’s challenges.
Atiku also pointed out the inconsistency in the fuel subsidy removal and the lack of a concrete plan to cushion its impact on citizens. He criticized the administration’s push for a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, which he says has stalled due to a lack of infrastructure, thereby driving up transportation costs.
Regarding foreign exchange projections, Atiku noted that Tinubu’s economic team’s forecast of the naira’s strength remains unrealistic. He urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to release its 2023 financial statements to clarify the actual foreign reserves, which he alleges are significantly lower than the administration claims.
Atiku further expressed disappointment over the country’s economic decline, lamenting that the Nigerian currency is now among the worst-performing in Africa, with Nigeria’s economy slipping to the fifth-largest on the continent. He concluded by urging Tinubu to focus on alleviating Nigerians’ suffering rather than engaging in “cheap politics” and criticized the administration for fostering conditions that drive citizens to desperation.
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