The Presidency has fired back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his scathing two-year anniversary assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that only those “who play blind” would fail to acknowledge the strides made so far.
Atiku had accused the administration of deepening poverty and promoting wasteful public spending.
But Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a sharp rebuttal, described the remarks as unfair and rooted more in personal vendetta than honest evaluation.
“We have made progress. Inflation is easing, food production is rising, investments are returning, and the foundation for a more prosperous, just, and inclusive Nigeria is being laid. These gains are in plain sight for everyone. Only those who play blind will not see them,” Onanuga said.
He added that unless Atiku still resides in Dubai, he should recognise the administration’s bold economic and institutional reforms—moves previous governments had shied away from.
“During the campaign, Tinubu never promised that the reforms would be painless. But he was clear they were necessary to rescue the country from the brink of fiscal collapse to reverse years of unsustainable spending and lay a solid foundation for long-term inclusive growth.”
“The removal of the fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange system were steps successive administrations, including that of Obasanjo-Atiku Abubakar, acknowledged as necessary but failed to implement. Atiku promised the reforms in his manifesto… the responsibility to implement the reforms fell on President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 election.”
According to Onanuga, the policies are already bearing fruit.
“Unlike Atiku and some critics, everyone agrees that the reforms have stabilised government finances, curbed systemic corruption, and enabled direct investments into social programmes and infrastructure.”
On the economic front, he highlighted renewed investor confidence and a booming Nigerian stock market.
“Foreign investors now see Nigeria as an irresistible destination. Since 2023, the Nigerian Exchange has seen its ASI jump from 50,000 to over 110,000, and market capitalisation has increased to N69.4 trillion, from about N30 trillion before Tinubu’s ascension.”
Countering Atiku’s accusation that the policies are “anti-people,” Onanuga pointed to social investments and wage increases as evidence of compassion-driven governance.
“The Tinubu administration… has increased investments in social safety nets, introduced targeted interventions for low-income households, and more than doubled the minimum wage, from N30k to N70k. Some states even pay up to N85k to their workers, a feat made possible by increased federal allocations.”
He dismissed Atiku’s claim that education has become inaccessible under the current administration as “false.”
“Since last year, the government has introduced the Student Loan Scheme to ensure that underprivileged children are not denied education because of poverty. As of the last count, over 600,000 Nigerian students have benefitted… What is undeniable is that under Bola Tinubu, higher education is now more accessible to deserving youths.”
Onanuga assured Atiku and his allies that their political freedoms remain intact, but urged for elevated discourse.
“Atiku and his co-travellers in the coalition party he is cobbling together need not worry about their democratic rights. As an acknowledged democrat, President Tinubu will not curtail their rights or silence them.” “Criticism must be elevated and constructive. When Atiku opposes government policies, he should also offer a solution. Otherwise, his opposition statements will be dismissed as mere partisan rhetoric and cheap talk.”
