Presidency slams Atiku on economic plan, accuses ex-VP of chasing grand illusions

By Kunle Sanni

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has recently criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as having a “sense of entitlement” and lacking a genuine connection with Nigerian voters.

Onanuga made this statement on Sunday in response to Atiku’s claim that President Bola Tinubu “stole his presidency” during the contested 2023 election. According to him, such remarks illustrate Atiku’s “grand illusions.”

“Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has focused more on undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than on addressing his own party’s internal issues,” Onanuga said. “We believe he harbors envy for Tinubu’s office—an ambition he has pursued unsuccessfully six times.”

Onanuga further criticized Atiku’s assertion that his policies would be superior to those of the Tinubu administration, calling it misguided.

“It is baffling that Atiku would elevate his untested proposals, which Nigerians rejected in 2023, as alternatives to the comprehensive reforms implemented by Tinubu,” he said. “If his plan lacked appeal then, simply rebranding it won’t solve the socio-economic challenges inherited from his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after 16 years in power.”

In a statement titled, “Time for Atiku Abubakar to End His Grand Illusions and Fantasies,” Onanuga argued that Atiku’s expectations of victory reflect a detachment from the preferences of Nigerian voters.

“Atiku’s accusation of President Tinubu ‘stealing his presidency’ reveals not only a sense of entitlement but also a disconnect from the choice of the Nigerian people,” Onanuga said.

He added that Tinubu’s election victory reflects the electorate’s genuine will, which Atiku failed to capture due to perceived arrogance and lack of engagement with voters.

Since his 2023 election loss, Atiku has frequently criticized Tinubu’s administration, suggesting he would approach economic challenges differently.

Onanuga, however, questioned the feasibility of Atiku’s proposed “consultation period” for economic decisions, arguing that Nigeria’s economy required immediate and decisive action, which he credited Tinubu for taking.

He further critiqued Atiku’s policy ideas as outdated and misaligned with Nigeria’s current needs, referencing Tinubu’s subsidy removal to fund infrastructure and social programs. He dismissed Atiku’s calls for phased subsidy removal and refinery privatization as irrelevant.

Urging Atiku to abandon what he termed as “politics of distraction,” Onanuga called for constructive contributions to national discourse, asserting that the Tinubu administration remains focused on addressing Nigeria’s urgent challenges through direct, impactful reforms.