Atiku’s Criticism Baseless, Tinubu’s Reforms Transforming Nigeria – Presidency
The Presidency has given a scathing reply to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent attack on the Tinubu administration.
A statement by the Presidency said Atiku’s attack on President Bola Tinubu reeks of bitterness and deliberate misinformation.
Accordingto the Presidency, “While we respect his right to dissent in our democracy, his blanket condemnation—without acknowledging any of this government’s achievements—exposes his bias and detachment from reality.
“Unless Atiku remains holed up in Dubai, he should recognise that in just two years, President Tinubu has implemented the boldest economic reforms in decades. Unlike past administrations—including the Obasanjo-Atiku government—which acknowledged the necessity of subsidy removal and forex unification but lacked the courage to act, Tinubu took the tough decisions needed to rescue Nigeria from fiscal collapse. These reforms, though painful, were inevitable, and even Atiku’s own manifesto endorsed them.”
It said the results speak for themselves, saying that government finances have stabilised, systemic corruption in subsidy and forex regimes has been curbed, and foreign investor confidence has surged.
“The Nigerian Exchange’s All-Share Index skyrocketed from 50,000 to over 110,000, while market capitalisation jumped from N30 trillion to N69.4 trillion,” the statement added.
Contrary to Atiku’s “anti-people” claims, the Tinubu administration has expanded social safety nets, introduced targeted interventions for low-income households, and raised the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000—with some states now paying up to N85,000, thanks to increased federal allocations.
It also highlighted that the Student Loan Scheme has already benefited over 600,000 underprivileged students, ensuring access to higher education. In health, primary centres are being revitalised, insurance expanded, and efforts to reduce drug costs are underway.
Revenue has surged, debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from 93% to 60%, the IMF’s $3.2 billion Covid loan was repaid, and reckless Ways & Means borrowing—a hallmark of past governments—has stopped. States now enjoy higher revenues, enabling them to clear debts and fund development, it also said.
Atiku’s claim that Tinubu is borrowing recklessly is false, the Presidency said, adding that the Finance Minister clarified that the 2025 budget seeks only $1.2 billion in new borrowing—a far cry from the reckless deficits of previous administrations.
“Yes, reforms come with challenges, but inflation is easing, food production is rising, and Nigeria is on a firmer path to prosperity. Only those blinded by hatred, like Atiku, refuse to see these gains.
“Criticism should be healthy, and constructive. Atiku’s endless vitriol, without offering solutions, reduces him to a mere partisan heckler. Nigerians deserve better.
“This government welcomes scrutiny but urges citizens to judge it by its actions —not the hypocrisy of those who had their chance to lead and failed. Tinubu’s reforms are laying the foundation for a stronger Nigeria, and no amount of toxic rhetoric can rewrite that truth,” the statement stated.