The Tinubu administration has responded sharply to a recent statement by former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in which he sought to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform programs while promoting his own untested agenda as a viable alternative.

In a statement, the government emphasized that Atiku’s proposals lack detailed substance and were overwhelmingly rejected by Nigerians during the 2023 elections. The administration asserted that if Atiku had succeeded in his bid for the presidency, Nigeria could have faced even more severe economic challenges or a regime of cronyism.

The administration highlighted that Atiku lost the election, in part due to his controversial proposal to sell the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other state assets to personal associates—a plan that many Nigerians still remember unfavorably. Moreover, the statement pointed to Atiku’s tenure as Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003, criticizing his management of a questionable privatization program and his lack of support for the nation’s educational system, evidenced by his and Obasanjo’s establishment of private universities while neglecting public institutions.

“The rhetoric against the current government’s reforms is a cheap tactic,” the statement read, “especially when the economic indices demonstrate the positives of the reforms being implemented by the Tinubu administration, despite the short-term challenges.”

The Tinubu administration further noted that Atiku’s call for a more gradual approach to reforms shows a disconnect from the critical issues that the current government inherited. It underscored the necessity of decisive action to combat significant economic disorders such as fuel subsidies that were draining national resources and rampant forex market irregularities.

“In addressing these issues, President Tinubu has taken actions that should have been initiated years ago by Atiku and his administration,” the statement continued. “While Atiku advocates for empathy and a human touch to reforms—a sentiment that resonates with our administration’s focus—President Tinubu has consistently prioritized compassion and the protection of the most vulnerable populations.”

The administration reaffirmed its commitment to implementing social safety nets and targeted support for those affected by recent economic transitions, asserting that the government’s approach balances necessary reforms with a focus on empathy for Nigerians during these challenging times.

As discussions around economic reform continue, the Tinubu administration remains steadfast in its belief that the measures being put in place are essential for long-term stability and growth.