‘Nigeria deserves opposition leaders with solutions’ -Onanuga tackles Atiku

By Kunle Sanni

The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of bias and selective criticism regarding the Tinubu administration’s economic management.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday that Atiku’s “personal animosity” towards President Bola Tinubu blinds him to the administration’s fiscal achievements over the past two years.

“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. Revenue has increased phenomenally. The debt service ratio to revenue has declined from 93 per cent to 60 per cent,” Onanuga stated.

The remarks were in response to Atiku’s criticism of the administration on its second anniversary. Atiku had accused the Tinubu government of worsening hardship, deepening poverty, and increasing the nation’s debt burden.

Onanuga highlighted that the administration had repaid the $3.4 billion IMF loan secured during the COVID-19 period, ended the long-standing deficit financing via the Central Bank’s Ways and Means, and boosted state revenues, allowing subnational governments to meet obligations and support development.

While noting Atiku’s acknowledgment of improved state revenues, Onanuga said the former vice president failed to credit the federal government for making that possible through its policies.

He defended reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, describing them as overdue measures that have curbed corruption, attracted investment, and set the stage for long-term economic stability.

Onanuga concluded that Atiku’s criticisms on the economy, education, and borrowing were partisan and unhelpful. “Criticism must be elevated and constructive. When Atiku opposes government policies, he should also offer a solution. Otherwise, his statements will be dismissed as mere political noise,” he said.