*The Nigerian Presidency says the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration encourages all Nigerians to assess the government by its actions, not by the ‘rhetoric of those who have had their opportunities to lead, and who bungled the chance in years past鈥�

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government has lampooned former Vice-President (VP) Atiku Abubakar over what is described as his “vitriol” against current administration and the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Every line of the blanket criticism reeks of hate,” said the Presidency.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Thursday, May 29, 2025, stated except ex-Vice-President Atiku was beclouded when spewing his criticisms, “why did he not admit some good deeds by this government in the last two years?”

Onanuga said: “While I respect Atiku and every Nigerian’s right to voice their opinions in our vibrant democracy, I need to set the record straight and address the fallacies in Atiku’s commentary.

“Unless Atiku still lives in Dubai, he ought to admit that in just two years, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has embarked on the most ambitious economic and institutional reforms ever seen in decades.”

The presidential aide recalled that during the campaign, President Tinubu “never promised that the reforms would be easy and painless.”

According to him, the Nigerian leader was clear that such economic reforms “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.”

He further explained the removal of the fuel subsidy and unification of the Foreign Exchange (Forex) system were steps successive administrations, including that of Obasanjo-Atiku Abubakar, acknowledged as necessary but failed to implement.

Onanuga said Atiku likewise promised the reforms in his manifesto.

The statement noted: “Indeed, all three major candidates in the election agreed they must be done, except that the responsibility to implement the reforms fell on President Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the聽2023 Presidential election.

“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.”

The Presidency as well averred that foreign investors now see Nigeria as “an irresistible destination”.

According to the Federal Government, since 2023, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has seen its ASI (All-Share Index) 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.

Contrary to Atiku’s claim that government policies are “anti-people,” the government argued the Tinubu administration, fully acknowledging that its policies affect the vulnerable, has increased investments in social safety nets, “introduced targeted interventions for low-income households, and more than doubled the minimum wage, from N30,000 to N70,000.

“Some states even pay up to N85,000 to their workers, a feat made possible by increased federal allocations.”

Onanuga averred that Atiku’s claim that education was out of reach for poor Nigerians was “entirely off the mark”.

He stated: “Everyone knows the claim is false; it’s just an attempt to throw any muck at Bola Tinubu.

“Since last year, the government has introduced the Student Loan Scheme to ensure that underprivileged children are not denied education because of poverty.”

He further explained that as of the last count, over 600,000 Nigerian students have benefitted from the loans.

The loans cover the students’ school fees and living allowances, said he.

The Presidential Spokesman noted: “The loans do not yet cover Nigerians in expensive schools like Atiku’s American University in Yola.

“What is undeniable is that under Bola Tinubu, higher education is now more accessible to deserving youths.”

According to him, this administration has also made huge investments in health, including revitalising primary health centres and expanding health insurance.

The government is also working hard to reduce the cost of medicines.

Onanuga asserted: “Atiku again, ignorantly accused the Tinubu administration of borrowing fresh money to support the 2025 budget.

“He obviously relied on social media gossip that the fresh loan request to the National Assembly was for that purpose.”

The Spokesman said the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy had debunked this as untrue.

He noted the Minister rather clarified that even in 2025, the Nigerian Government “only wants to borrow about $1.2 billion.

“Because Atiku does not like Bola Tinubu’s guts, he forgets to credit his administration with some of the fiscal achievements in the last two years.”

He stated that “revenue has increased phenomenally”, while debt service ratio to revenue has declined from 93 percent to 60 percent.

Onanuga stated: “This government has paid off the $3.2 billion IMF loan obtained in the Covid years.

“The current administration has discontinued Ways & Means deficit financing for the first time in decades.

“State revenue has risen, and subnational governments now have greater resources for local development and to pay their debts.”

The Presidential Spokesman affirmed “this is the only positive Atiku admitted, forgetting to praise the Tinubu government that made this possible.

“This government has admitted honestly that the reforms come with attendant challenges and has worked vigorously to lessen the pain.”

He equally said: “But as President Tinubu said in his statement, marking his second anniversary, 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.”

On Atiku’s rights and coalition party

Onanuga stated: “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.”

The statement also noted: “Finally, 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.”

Nigerians deserve opposition leaders who offer solutions, not just criticism.”

Onanuga added: “We invite all Nigerians to judge this administration by its actions, not by the rhetoric of those who have had their opportunities to lead, and who bungled the chance in years past, sold national assets for pittance and shortchanged their compatriots.”

Kindly Share This Story