Presidency Dismisses Atiku’s Hunger Claims, Says Nigeria Seeing Positive Gains Under Tinubu
Presidency counters Atiku Abubakar’s warning of looming upheaval, calling his economic claims misleading and outdated.
It cites slowing inflation, rising reserves and stronger trade surplus as proof of progress.
The Presidency has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his recent comments on Nigeria’s economic situation, saying his remarks are misleading and disconnected from current realities.
In a statement issued on Monday, Atiku likened the nation’s challenges to the conditions that triggered the French Revolution of 1789 and the 1917 Russian Revolution, warning that widespread hunger could spark social upheaval.
Responding, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, rejected the comparison and said new economic data pointed to clear progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Onanuga cited National Bureau of Statistics figures showing headline inflation had slowed for five straight months up to August, alongside a record trade surplus. He noted that non-oil exports now contribute almost as much as crude oil to the trade balance, at a 48:52 ratio.
The Presidency also stated that Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have climbed to nearly $42 billion, compared to $32 billion at the start of Tinubu’s tenure, and that outstanding obligations exceeding $7 billion including $800 million owed to airlines have been cleared.
According to the statement, states are now able to pay salaries and gratuities on time while still funding infrastructure and social projects, a level of fiscal capacity it described as unprecedented.
“After just over two years in office, we are proud of the progress made under President Tinubu’s leadership. While critics may deny these gains, Nigerians can already see the changes taking place,” Onanuga said.
The Presidency accused Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party of clinging to “alarmist” narratives, arguing that many of the nation’s present difficulties originated from policy failures during the PDP era, when Atiku served as Vice President.
