“You Can’t Even Unite Your Party with Only 13 Governors” – Presidency Knocks Atiku Over Criticism of Tinubu’s Economic Policies

The Presidency has issued a pointed response to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies. Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election to Tinubu, recently condemned the administration’s strategies, labeling them as “trial-and-error” and suggesting the current approach relies heavily on “palliative economy” measures.

Atiku argued that Tinubu’s simultaneous reforms—including adjustments to the exchange rate, electricity tariffs, and petrol prices—could be too aggressive, stating that a more gradual approach, as seen in Malaysia and Indonesia, would have been preferable. He indicated that a slower removal of subsidies would have eased the economic transition for Nigerians.

Responding on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dismissed Atiku’s criticisms, pointing out that his policies had been rejected by Nigerians in the 2023 polls. Onanuga further asserted that an Atiku administration could have led to economic deterioration or cronyism.

Adding to the response, Dada Olusegun, the President’s Special Adviser on Social Media, challenged Atiku’s influence, saying, “You weren’t elected, Alhaji. You can’t even unite your party with only 13 governors. You can’t provide proper leadership to be considered a serious opposition.”

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has faced internal strife following Atiku’s nomination as the 2023 presidential candidate. Many analysts attribute the division partly to Atiku’s fallout with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike after the party’s primary, which continues to impact the PDP’s unity at the national level.