The Traffic

"Atiku Slams Tinubu: ‘Your Policies Are Killing Nigerians’"

By Achimi Muktar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a fierce criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, accusing the administration of inflicting severe hardship on Nigerians. Atiku insists that Tinubu’s approach to governance is “killing” the people, urging the President to focus on solving the nation's economic crisis rather than attacking the opposition.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku responded to a recent comment from the Presidency, which accused him of jealousy-driven criticism. Atiku, however, maintained that his concerns are rooted in the well-being of the Nigerian people, who are suffering under Tinubu's leadership.

Failed Economic Promises

Atiku pointed to Tinubu’s July 8, 2024, announcement, where the President promised to lift import duties on essential goods like food for 150 days as a measure to ease inflation. Over 120 days later, Atiku argued, the policy has not been implemented, while food inflation has skyrocketed to over 40%, the highest in decades. He called this delay a blatant disregard for government policy and a reflection of the incompetence within the Tinubu administration.

“The brazen disobedience to a government policy by Tinubu’s appointees and the Finance Ministry’s failure to issue a gazette four months after the announcement reflect the fatuousness, inanity, and incompetence that characterize this administration,” Atiku remarked.

Policy Missteps and Economic Flip-Flops

Atiku’s criticism extended beyond the unfulfilled policy on import duties. He highlighted Tinubu’s abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy without any safety nets in place. According to him, the resulting chaos led the government to hurriedly propose a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, which has not been embraced by the President or his ministers. He argued that the CNG initiative has yet to fully take off due to a lack of gas infrastructure across many states, leading to a continued rise in transportation and food costs.

“Tinubu acts first and thinks later. His hasty decisions, like the removal of petrol subsidies without proper planning, show how unprepared he was for office,” Atiku stated.

He also criticized Tinubu’s economic projections, pointing to the unrealistic forecasts in the mid-term expenditure framework. Atiku questioned the President’s projection of the exchange rate at N700/$1 for 2024 and N650/$1 by 2025, accusing the administration of living in “a fool’s paradise” and deceiving Nigerians about the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Security Concerns and Accusations of Nepotism

Atiku also raised concerns about security, following the military’s recent announcement of the emergence of a new terror group known as Lakurawa. He criticized Tinubu for what he described as politicizing security appointments, placing his “kinsmen” in key security and economic positions. According to Atiku, these actions undermine national security and economic stability, which are critical for attracting investments.

“Even President Muhammadu Buhari was not this brazen in appointing his kinsmen to key positions,” Atiku remarked, accusing Tinubu of nepotism in his appointments of the Finance Minister, heads of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Customs, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Atiku’s comments also included a pointed jab at Tinubu’s past, referencing allegations of drug trafficking and claiming that the President has refunded money to the United States to settle these accusations.

Controversial Infrastructure Projects

The former Vice President also criticized Tinubu’s decision to commit over $13 billion to the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, describing it as a controversial project that has displaced numerous Lagos residents. According to Atiku, this project is a misallocation of resources at a time when more pressing issues require attention.

“Tinubu is more interested in pleasing his associates than addressing the needs of the Nigerian people,” Atiku said, accusing the administration of ignoring critical challenges like revenue shortfalls while prioritizing personal interests.

A Call to Action

Atiku concluded his statement by urging Tinubu to take immediate action to address the suffering of Nigerians. He reminded the President that his time in office is limited and that the people are growing increasingly frustrated with his administration’s failures.

“Nigerians are tired. President Tinubu must use the remaining two years of his term to make meaningful improvements in the lives of the people,” Atiku advised.

With inflation rising, security threats increasing, and policies failing to take effect, Atiku’s message was clear: Nigerians can no longer wait for promises that remain unfulfilled. The clock is ticking on Tinubu’s administration, and the people are demanding real change before it's too late.