Presidency failed to provide credible defence for Tinubu’s failure – Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, accused the Presidency on Tuesday of failing to present a credible defines for what he characterized as President Bola Tinubu’s inability to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

Atiku maintained that during the 2023 presidential campaign, he provided superior policy alternatives compared to Tinubu’s “negative prescriptions.” This response came after Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused Atiku of becoming the “opposition-in-chief” due to his inability to achieve his lifelong goal of ruling Nigeria.

In a statement endorsed by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, Atiku stated, “Bayo Onanuga failed to offer a credible defense of Bola Tinubu’s shortcomings in tackling the economic challenges facing the country. Instead, he resorted to insults and name-calling, displaying ignorance of the current circumstances.”

Atiku addressed specific points raised by Onanuga, asserting that he indeed presented better policy options during his presidential campaign. He emphasized the disparity between his comprehensive policy document, “My Covenant With Nigerians,” and Tinubu’s inadequate strategies. Atiku highlighted his foresight in anticipating the potential negative impact of subsidy withdrawal and exchange rate unification on micro and small enterprises.

Regarding Tinubu’s policies, Atiku pointed out the inadequacy of the N125 billion allocated to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) compared to his proposed US$10 billion Economic Stimulus Fund. Atiku also criticized the mismanagement of funds earmarked for Tinubu’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, contrasting it with his commitment to supporting the poor and vulnerable through a robust social investment program.

Atiku further challenged Onanuga on the private sector’s burden resulting from Tinubu’s policies, citing the exit of major corporations and increased cost of living pressures. He backed his claims with official statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, highlighting rising inflation rates and citizens protesting hunger and high living costs.

In conclusion, Atiku criticized the Presidency’s response, labelling it as filled with lamentations and blame-shifting, a familiar approach adopted by the ruling party. He argued that Tinubu’s leadership failures were evident in the country’s persistent economic, social, political, and security challenges, attributing them to unprepared leadership and a lack of anticipation of impending crises.