The presidency has characterized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposals as untested and inferior to the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made these remarks in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja.

Onanuga asserted that Atiku’s ideas were previously rejected by the electorate during the 2023 elections and lacked substantive detail. He further contended that had Atiku won the presidency, he would have led Nigeria into a deeper crisis or fostered a regime of favoritism.

“Abubakar lost the election partly because he vowed to sell the NNPC and other assets to his friends,” Onanuga stated. He emphasized that Nigerians have not forgotten Atiku’s past actions when he managed the economy during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration from 1999 to 2003.

Onanuga criticized Atiku for overseeing a controversial privatization initiative, suggesting that both he and his former boss showed a disregard for the country’s educational system, opting to establish their own universities while neglecting public institutions.

“Talk is cheap. It is easy to pontificate and deride a rival’s programmes even when there are irrefutable indices that the economic reforms yield positives despite the temporary difficulties,” he added. According to him, Atiku’s recent statement failed to challenge the validity of Tinubu’s ongoing reforms, which he deemed necessary for Nigeria’s progress.

Onanuga also noted that Atiku’s call for a gradualist approach indicates a lack of understanding of the significant challenges faced by the Tinubu administration. He remarked, “It is easy to paint a flowery to-do list,” highlighting the complexity of the current economic situation.

The presidential aide recounted the difficult conditions that Tinubu inherited, including the burdensome fuel subsidies and significant issues within the foreign exchange market. He stated, “No leader worth his name will allow these two economic disorders to persist without moving to end them surgically.”

While acknowledging Atiku’s advocacy for empathy in reforms, Onanuga affirmed that the Tinubu administration shares this perspective. He remarked, “Tinubu has consistently emphasized the need for compassion and protection of the most vulnerable,” noting that the administration has prioritized social safety nets and targeted support for those affected by recent economic changes.

As the debate over Nigeria’s economic direction continues, the presidency maintains its stance that the reforms being implemented are essential for addressing the pressing challenges facing the nation.