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Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) - Politics - Nairaland

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Who Positioned Tinubu's Portrait On Atiku Head? / Ezekwesili Slams Atiku For Claiming He Obasanjo's Economic Management Team / Was Atiku Corrupt When These Pictures Were Taken? (2) (3) (4)

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Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Islie: 8:43am On Jan 19, 2023

Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice-president, has claimed that he led the economic management team during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made the claim on Monday, at the presidential dialogue on the economy, organised by the National Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Lagos.

“As head of the economic management team, while I was Vice President, I was instrumental in designing a private sector revival strategy and advocated for the opening of the economy for private sector investments in several sectors. And we made tremendous progress,” Atiku said.

“I’m sure you still remember the good old days of rapid economic growth with stable interest and exchange rates, low inflation, low unemployment rates, and low poverty headcount.

“We paid off nearly all of our foreign debt which was crippling the country.”

Obasanjo served as Nigeria’s president from 1999 to 2007.

But how true is the claim that Atiku led the economic management team?


VERIFICATION

Checks by TheCable revealed that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance and now director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), actually led Obasanjo’s economic management team.

The economic management team was established by Obasanjo in 2003 at the beginning of his second term as president.

A publication on Nigeria’s debt reform, published by the Centre for Africa-Europe relations said: “When President Obasanjo was re-elected in 2003, he appointed a new economic management team headed by former World Bank director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This team implemented many policy reforms.”

In a report where Okonjo-Iweala recounted her journey through economic reforms, she admitted that in 2003, after she got permission of Obasanjo to set up a presidential economic team, the former president decided to preside over the team as the chair, while she takes the lead.

The team, which consisted of 12 members with expertise in macroeconomics, microeconomics, debt management, privatisation, private-sector development, governance, anti-corruption measures, civil-service reform, and budget management, were responsible for designing and implementing economic reforms under the Obasanjo administration.

Members of the 12-person team included Chukwuma Soludo, the then Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor; Nuhu Ribadu, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Nasir el-Rufai, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT); Oby Ezekwesili, minister of education; Bode Agusto, director-general, Budget Office; Ifueko Omoigui, chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), among others.

As head of the economic management team and finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala led the negotiations for Nigeria’s debt relief.

After the negotiations, Nigeria and the Paris Club announced a final agreement for debt relief worth $18 billion, after Nigeria paid $12 billion.


IS ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT TEAM SAME AS NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL?

No. The two entities are not the same and do not perform the same functions.

During his stint as VP, Atiku headed the National Economic Council (NEC).

His biography on the Yar’adua Foundation’s website reads: “As Vice President, he (Atiku) chaired the National Economic Council which was responsible for assembling the outstanding talent that transformed the Nigerian economy, more than quadrupling GDP between 2000 – 2007.”

NEC was established by the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, as amended, specifically section 153(1) and paragraphs 18 & 19 of part I of the third schedule.

According to the constitution, NEC has the mandate to “advise the president concerning the economic affairs of the federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various governments of the federation.”

Membership of the NEC comprises the VP as chairperson, 36 state governors, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other co-opted government officials.

Nigeria’s current national economic council is chaired by vice-president Yemi Osinbajo

The council holds meetings once every month.


VERDICT

Atiku’s claim that he was the head of the economic management team is false. The team was set up in 2003 during Obasanjo’s administration, the former president was the chair while Okonjo-Iweala led the team.

The PDP presidential candidate must have confused NEC with the economic management team.


https://www.thecable.ng/fact-check-was-atiku-head-of-obasanjos-economic-management-team/amp

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Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Racoon(m): 8:48am On Jan 19, 2023
FACT CHECKERS FACT CHECKED PETER OBI AND RATHER GOT SCHOOLED IN WHAT THEY NEVER KNEW EXISTED. YOU CAN'T FACT CHECK THE FACT HIMSELF.

61 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Obojuju: 8:48am On Jan 19, 2023
Contrary to what they want u to believe, the North is not monolithic, they are more heterogenous than the South. That is why they are appealing to Arewa’s primordial instincts. It explains the Muslim-Muslim Ticket. LP’s outing in Kaduna exposed their hypocrisy & fear mongering. That Igbo trader or Onitsha man (in their deeply bigoted voices) pulled an “organic” crowd in the political heartbeat of Northern Nigeria. Kaduna is in the North West. It is a completely different turf from the North Central (Obi’s stronghold). His network is expanding
Contrary to what they want u to believe, Northerners are a welcoming people. It is just the politicians that weaponize religion & tribe for their own use. Divide & Rule serve the greedy & the wicked. Bashir could no longer hide his aggressive bigotry, he had to let it jump out.
He deleted the incendiary tweet after he was called out.

Believe me, the PDAPC are genuinely afraid of Peter Obi’s Organic Movement. We know things beyond what we say on the timeline. In their small circle of Arewa Aristocracy, they whisper & discuss Peter Obi’s chances. El-Rufai in particular is the biggest loser here. In his mind’s eye; “Peter Obi must not happen, he shouldn’t be happening, he can’t happen.” But the bigot is not God. Power & wisdom, they come from God. Who is that mere mortal that want to challenge God? Let them come out

We have only love for Kwankwaso. We wish him all the best. It’s good we have him in the North holding down the fort. The more, the merrier. Nigeria is large enough to accommodate everybody. As for Tom & Jerry, PDAPC mutual assured destruction is imminent. It’ll be televised.
Both have equal amount of dirt on each other. The way they’re panicking & telling you Jack Robinson every day, that should tell you that Obi is winning this thing. They have done their math & discovered “X.” Peter Obi is the “X Factor.” He made the most impact in this election.

No one throws stones at a fruitless tree. NO ONE!! Peter Obi is Nigeria's Brand Ambassador & Marketing Manager; he has become your Global Negotiator Extraordinaire of all-time. International media & international community have noticed him. PAY ATTENTION!! THEY ARE SPEAKING
The PDP were so fixated on Peter Obi from the start, so they left their flanks wide open for the APC to attack. Reno (the slowpoke) even went on air & defended Tinubu’s FAKE Certificate, to spite Peter Obi. PDP Boys defended Chimaroke to spite Obi. But all backfired.
Every stone they threw at him, it returned back to them a thousand times. There was no way the PDP could have won this WAR OF NARRATIVES, not in a million years. Not when “thinkers” like us exist. Peter Obi left them, but he took the brightest/smartest influencers with him. PDP is left with just empty brains, maybe two intelligent minds. The rest are walkovers. Reno is not only a fool, he is unintelligent. I read his childish tweets & I hiss. He contributed to uncle Jonathan’s loss. Tolu Ogunlesi was always going to defeat the id*ot (in life & in death)

Now we eat Mikano Boys raw like sugarcane. The PDP threw the first punch way before the primaries. I & a few others stood our ground & fought back. We defended & promoted Peter Obi with vigor, until he became mainstream. We did all of that because it was the right to do.
We gave Nigeria & Nigerians the alternative. Given another opportunity, we will do it again. We cannot hand Nigeria over to either of the two old crooks. Peter Obi is the only option, the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is the only candidate we TRUST.

PDP & APC are panicking; Peter Obi is the man to beat. He is the only candidate with national acceptance. So allow them to fight their “Battle Of Thieves.” Between the two structures of criminality, between Tinubu & Atiku, let the bigger thief win their mudslinging challenge.
The constellation Gemini (Great Mythology) involves two identical twins: Castor & Pollux, inseparable in looks & in actions. Castor is PDP, Pollux is APC. If you see one without the other, then it’s bad luck. PDAPC are the Mythology of Bad Luck; conjoined in deeds & in words.
With no structure, no governor, no senator nor HoR member. No chairman nor Councillor, without their war chest, 4 people tweeting in a room catapulted Peter Obi to a leading frontrunner (within 8 months). Pat yourselves on the back, WE DID IT! We pulled off the unthinkable.

From the banks of River Niger, to the plains of River Benue, down to Mambilla & Jos Plateau, a Peaceful Political Revolution is underway. Camaraderie, Patriotism & Nationalism are reinvigorated. Nigerians are beginning to HOPE again. The land is green once more
A Dream written in Gold & said to possess an almost magic power that will transfer Nigeria for good. A man, not a Saint, is inspiring our new found Joy. What was impossible is now possible. Finally, Nigerians can live again. HOPE is Reborn; the IDEA whose time has come is here
February Poll is a make or mar election. Collect your PVC & fight!! Vote LP en masse. Vote, stay back & make sure that INEC TRANSMIT the result online. Do not vote & go home. We will spend all day at our polling units. Send OBIDATTI to Aso Rock, FOR THE GLORY OF NIGERIA!

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Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by sgtponzihater1(m): 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
Detailed research up there. Well done

21 Likes 1 Share

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by OurBusinessIsPr(m): 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
Cool.
Atiku is one billion times better than boombabluu buzamba

12 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Pemisire2020(m): 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
Atiku is a criminal

36 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Nobody: 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
Na only Obi fact check dey green, others are liars with no dignity. Even their money couldn't buy them dignity

53 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by judecares1(m): 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
ATIKU,PLS RETURN BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY IN DUBAI

34 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by SmartyPants(m): 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
This is irrelevant. Did he head the Constitutionally mandated Economic Council? If yes, then he headed an economic management team, if not the particularly so-named economic management team.

Next!

6 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by d4gmail: 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
sad
Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by JoshTim: 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
Vote Asiwaju. BAT2023. ASIWAJU, ati moye yi je iwonna iwopapa iwonna. Asiwaju, bo ti e dibo oti wole....

13 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by LaSenior: 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
cheesy

Mai Kano don lie ooooooh

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by nastyesco(m): 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
So how will this reduce the cost of bread and beans?

1 Like

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Worldking: 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
All man dey find something to use campaign grin grin

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Jack95: 8:49am On Jan 19, 2023
Vote Peter George Obi

4 Likes

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Mumusaphire: 8:50am On Jan 19, 2023
Yes
Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by morikee: 8:50am On Jan 19, 2023
Yes na you know politics is dirty.
Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by 1Alex: 8:50am On Jan 19, 2023
OK
Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by merits(m): 8:50am On Jan 19, 2023

1 Share

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by backtovillage: 8:50am On Jan 19, 2023
Who still trust Atiku, after which he betrayed his party(PDP) and then came back to give a
SIMP le man VP position

2 Likes

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by onuman: 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
Atiku as VP had no academic qualifications to be the Chairman of Economic Management Team of Obasanjo's administration.

8 Likes

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Johnrake69: 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
Are we still on this matter?
Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by LilyColin(f): 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
Atiku omo werey.

The Dubai based presido

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Nbote(m): 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
Abeg if una see LordviccoDaGuru make una call am come here, I wan show am something

3 Likes

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Emyogalanya: 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
Atiku the liar

2 Likes

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by alobright17(m): 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
OurBusinessIsPr:
Cool.
Atiku is one billion times better than boombabluu buzamba
that's why you need Obi who's better than Both.

9 Likes

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by ipobarecriminals: 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
sad They'll lie and swear with Allah name"Walahi!Allah sad".I don't even trust those people that use God name to perpetuate their scam.Spit on the Camerounian sad

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Quest7777: 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
I pray for Nigeria:
Any hand that will vote a Mentally Unstable or Cognitively Impaired man to preside over the affairs of 200million Nigerians, May that hand Wither & Die.


I no mention names o. cool
Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by tuborme: 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
lol

1 Like

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by CalabarPikin: 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
In a sane nation, this man suppose dey jail


Atikugate

3 Likes

Re: Was Atiku Head Of Obasanjo’s Economic Management Team? (Fact Check) by Weedhustler: 8:51am On Jan 19, 2023
He was only d head of his family economic team not Nigeria...obi is coming with the speed of light.

9 Likes 1 Share

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