Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President and a prominent political figure, has unleashed a fierce attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of “criminally stealing” the 2023 presidential election and resorting to prayers to rescue the country from economic malaise.
In a bold statement released on November 4, Atiku claimed he did not lose the election, but rather, it was taken away from him and the Nigerian people.
He expressed deep concern over the state of Nigeria’s economy, blaming what he described as Tinubu’s “hasty and unplanned” ascent to power.
Atiku argued that the economic challenges Nigerians face today are the result of what he called the “trial-and-error” approach of the Tinubu administration.
The former Vice President stated that he and his team had developed a comprehensive economic recovery plan before the election, which he claimed would have brought stability and growth to Nigeria.
“Our approach was inclusive and well-considered,” Atiku said, stressing that his economic plan had welcomed input from Nigerians across all sectors.
Atiku didn’t hold back on his criticism, poking fun at Tinubu’s administration for relying on prayers as part of its economic strategy.
In a sarcastic remark, Atiku said, “Isn’t it fascinating that the only policy response seems to be a national prayer led by the First Lady and the NSA, just a day after I proposed my alternative solutions?”
He went on to say that while prayer is important, it should be accompanied by hard work and serious policy-making.
Atiku also criticized the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, comparing its results unfavorably to the achievements of past administrations he was part of.
Under the Obasanjo administration, in which Atiku served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, Nigeria reportedly achieved an average GDP growth rate of 6.59%, peaking at 15% in 2002.
He claimed that the economic stability during that period was in sharp contrast to what he described as the “dismal” 2.8% growth rate under Tinubu’s administration.
“Enough of the pains of the shambolic ‘bolekaja’ economic policy prescriptions!” Atiku exclaimed, using the Nigerian term “bolekaja” to describe the policies as chaotic and ineffective.
He went further to suggest that Tinubu’s economic approach was causing unnecessary hardship for Nigerians by imposing higher taxes on an already struggling population.
In his view, taxation is not the solution for Nigeria’s economic woes, and he pointed to countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Monaco, which have zero-income tax policies and still achieved significant growth.
“Why then are we fixated on inflicting further hardship upon an already struggling populace?” Atiku asked.
He accused Tinubu’s government of clinging to a limited, poorly thought-out plan, which he labeled as a “Tea-plan.”
He warned that this approach would only result in a “T-pain” for Nigerians, using humor to convey his disapproval.
Atiku’s comments are the latest in a series of heated exchanges between him and Tinubu’s camp, who have also launched their own criticisms of Atiku’s political record.
In response to Atiku’s statements, Tinubu’s team recently accused him of failing during his time in office, claiming he mismanaged his years as Vice President and suggesting it was time for him to retire.
But Atiku brushed off these criticisms, claiming that the Tinubu administration’s unproven policies have left Nigeria in economic chaos.
He challenged Tinubu’s team to remember the successes of previous administrations, which he argued are evidence of his own capability and experience in handling Nigeria’s economy.
Atiku also reminded Nigerians of his previous economic successes, saying, “Let us not forget that under our economic stewardship, Nigeria soared to the pinnacle of Africa’s economies.”
He argued that Nigeria’s economy is now at its lowest due to Tinubu’s “misguided experimental policies.”
