Onanuga: Atiku’s economic analysis unrealistic… we suspect he’s envious of Tinubu

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, has berated Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, for his persistent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.

In May, Atiku said the nation’s economy has worsened under Tinubu, despite high hopes by the citizens. 

In a statement on Sunday, Onanuga said Atiku’s criticisms of Tinubu’s presidency are devoid of realistic alternatives.

Onanuga said the presidency expects the former vice-president to commend the country’s development in revenue generation.

He said state governments and local councils have been more prosperous under Tinubu’s administration, adding that the government has revitalised the oil sector by investing in modular refineries and Dangote refinery.

“We expect Atiku to commend what the Tinubu administration has done concerning revenue generation for the Federation. Without factoring in oil sales, revenue proceeds generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service almost doubled in the first half of 2024, compared with the level Tinubu met in 2023,” he said.

“The states and councils are more prosperous because of it, as many states have increased the minimum wage for their workers to between N70,000 and N85,000.

“Notably, while Atiku peddles his economic fantasies, he has yet to denounce President Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy because he knows that the reform was necessary and correct. We can only urge him to purge himself of the petty, derisive politics of a sore loser.

“Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown more interest in undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than in addressing his party’s implosion. We suspect he is envious of Tinubu’s position —an office he has unsuccessfully sought six times.

“Atiku’s economic analysis demonstrates a significant misunderstanding of Nigeria’s realities. His narrative, “What We Would Have Done Differently,” indicates an inability to engage with the pressing economic realities being revitalised multidimensionally under President Tinubu’s leadership.”