Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s economic challenges, stating that it is setting the stage for a prolonged and deeper domestic economic crisis. Atiku, who was the PDP presidential candidate in 2023, urged Tinubu and his economic management team to acknowledge their missteps and follow the advice of those who are more knowledgeable in navigating economic terrain.
In a series of comments on his social media handle, Atiku expressed concern over the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, which he claims are causing pain and despair. He pointed out the shrinking private sector, emasculation of small businesses, and the departure of Multi-National Companies from Nigeria. Atiku highlighted the intense cost of living pressures, leading to hunger in the land as basic commodities, including bread, become increasingly unaffordable for average Nigerians.
Atiku criticized Tinubu’s 2024 budget, describing it as a business-as-usual exercise lacking concrete ideas to support Nigeria’s economic transformation. He argued that the budget is focused on wasteful expenditures catering to a bloated Federal Government and does not facilitate growth or empower citizens to earn a living and live a decent life.
Furthermore, Atiku raised concerns about Tinubu’s capacity to deal with the adverse impacts of the new subsidy regime and the foreign exchange policy, describing Tinubu’s initiatives as uninformed, arbitrary, and chaotic. He called on Tinubu and his economic management team to admit their failures and act swiftly before the economy deteriorates further.
In conclusion, Atiku questioned whether Tinubu and his team would take the necessary actions to address the economic challenges facing the country.
