Presidency Urges Atiku to Applaud Tinubu’s Reforms, Rather than Petty Politics

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to acknowledge Tinubu’s reforms rather than engaging in what he termed “petty politics.”

In a statement on Sunday, Onanuga responded to recent criticisms from Abubakar, who had offered suggestions for addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges. The exchanges between the two escalated last week after Abubakar claimed he could not envy Tinubu, alleging that the president’s policies have caused widespread hardship.

Onanuga dismissed Abubakar’s remarks, asserting that the electorate had rejected his ideas during the elections.

“Atiku’s critiques of Tinubu’s presidency are harebrained propositions devoid of realistic alternatives,” Onanuga said. “He must consider the decades of economic mismanagement inherited by the current administration, including unsustainable subsidy expenditures that far exceeded government earnings from crude oil.”

Providing context, Onanuga highlighted the economic challenges faced by the administration. “As of mid-2023, the landing cost of fuel was between N500 and N600, while it was sold nationwide at an average of N200. The 2023 budget allocated N3.36 trillion for fuel subsidies until June 2023, against a projected N2.23 trillion in oil revenue for the year. The Nigerian state was on life support.”

Onanuga praised Tinubu’s economic initiatives, particularly in revenue generation. “We expect Atiku to commend the administration for its achievements. Federal Inland Revenue Service revenue, excluding oil proceeds, almost doubled in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023. This has made states and councils more prosperous, with many states raising the minimum wage for workers to between N70,000 and N85,000.”

Criticizing Abubakar’s suggestion to privatize Nigeria’s four government-owned refineries, Onanuga argued the proposal lacked originality and feasibility, as the refineries would still fall short of meeting daily fuel consumption needs.

Onanuga concluded by urging Abubakar to provide constructive solutions and restore his credibility as a statesman, rather than undermining Tinubu’s “decisive reforms.”