Presidency counters Atiku, says Nigeria on the right path under Tinubu

The Presidency has dismissed claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that Nigeria is being ravaged by hunger, insisting that the country is making steady progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the government maintained that Atiku’s criticisms were misplaced and failed to reflect current realities. He noted that many of the challenges facing the nation were inherited from past administrations led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when Atiku served as Vice President.

Atiku had on Monday faulted Tinubu’s handling of the economy, lamenting that more than two years into his administration, widespread hunger and poverty persisted. He described the situation as unacceptable, especially for the underprivileged, warning that food insecurity had become a daily reality for Nigerians.

However, Onanuga countered that Atiku’s comments were exaggerated and misleading, especially his comparisons of Nigeria’s situation to pre-revolution France and Russia. “Talk is cheap. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his handlers are clearly out of touch with the positive developments currently unfolding in our country,” Onanuga said.

He cited recent reports by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed headline inflation declining for the fifth consecutive month, a record trade surplus, and a sharp rise in non-oil exports, which now account for nearly half of the nation’s trade balance. He also disclosed that Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves had grown to almost $42 billion, up from $32 billion when Tinubu assumed office, despite clearing over $7 billion in arrears, including $800 million owed to international airlines.

Onanuga added that revenue generation under Tinubu had reached unprecedented levels, with states now able to pay salaries and pensions promptly while still funding capital projects. He stressed that these developments marked a clear departure from the past.

“Nigeria is moving in the right direction. In contrast, Atiku and his party remain stuck in the past, fixated on doomsday scenarios. Many of the challenges we face today stem from the economic mismanagement during the PDP years, when Atiku was Vice President. President Tinubu and his team are working relentlessly to correct those errors with bold reforms,” he stated.

The Presidency expressed confidence that Nigerians could see and feel the positive changes, despite opposition claims, emphasizing that Tinubu’s government was committed to building a stronger economy.