Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, through his spokesman Phrank Shaibu, has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s comments on Nigeria’s economic reforms and privatisation policy. He defended his record and said the President misrepresented past reforms.
The statement followed Tinubu’s recent remarks on economic policy. It focused on differences between both leaders and the current state of the economy.
Atiku’s camp described the President’s comments as a reckless tirade. It said the remarks showed desperation and inconsistency. The statement also questioned the President’s credibility and pointed to ongoing public scrutiny of his background.
A key issue in the exchange is Nigeria’s privatisation programme. According to Atiku, he supported the sale of state-owned enterprises during his time in government to improve efficiency and attract private investment.
The current administration, the statement argued, is carrying out privatisation without enough transparency. It raised concerns about valuation processes and accountability, especially in the oil sector.
Past reforms, Atiku’s camp added, led to the emergence of successful companies across sectors such as oil, petrochemicals, and hospitality. These outcomes were presented as evidence of structured and effective policy implementation.
Criticism was also directed at the tone of the President’s comments. The statement said mockery should not replace factual debate on national issues.
On the economy, it highlighted rising inflation, high living costs, and increasing hardship. Many households, it said, are struggling with basic needs, while businesses are closing and insecurity remains a concern.
The statement concluded that Nigeria’s current challenges are driven by present policies rather than past reforms. It maintained that Atiku’s public service record is clear and documented and called for greater accountability in governance.
The exchange reflects growing political tension between both sides over economic direction and the impact of reforms on citizens.
