₦airaland Forum

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp rebuttal against President Bola Tinubu,
accusing him of hypocrisy, distortion of history, and political desperation—while pointedly declaring that “it is not my fault that you can’t read.”

The response was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday morning, by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who signed the release on behalf of the former Vice President.

“It is not our fault that the President does not and can not read,” the statement said, adding that a proper understanding of Nigeria’s reform history was clearly documented in ‘The Accidental Public Servant’ authored by Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

In the strongly worded statement, Atiku described Tinubu’s recent remarks as a “reckless tirade” that exposes “a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia.”

“Atiku Abubakar’s attention has been drawn to the latest reckless tirade by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—a performance that exposes not just desperation, but a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia,” the statement read.

The former vice president expressed surprise that a sitting president, who has faced scrutiny over his own credentials, would attempt to discredit others with what he described as verifiable records of public service.

On the issue of privatisation, Atiku’s camp argued that Tinubu’s criticisms were inconsistent with his current policies, noting that the president had previously opposed reforms he now appeared to be implementing.

According to the statement, Atiku had long advocated the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPc) and the sale of refineries to credible investors, a stance Tinubu allegedly resisted at the time.

However, it claimed the current administration is now overseeing what it described as a flawed system.

“This is not reform; it is privatisation without accountability,” the statement declared, alleging a lack of transparency and clear valuation in ongoing processes.

The statement further defended Atiku’s role in Nigeria’s economic reforms, citing companies such as Oando Plc, Conoil Plc, Ardova Plc, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, Benue Cement Company, and Transcorp Hilton Abuja as examples of successful privatisation outcomes.

In a direct attack on the president’s intellectual posture, the statement said Tinubu’s comments reflected a failure to engage documented history.

It added that Tinubu’s remarks suggested ignorance of publicly available records and credible accounts of past reforms.

“You cannot oppose reform when it demands courage and then execute a shadow version of it in power,” the statement added.

Atiku’s camp also criticised the tone of the president’s comments, describing them as dismissive and lacking substance.

“The President’s attempt to reduce a serious economic legacy to playground ridicule only underscores a deeper problem: a leadership more comfortable with insults than with facts,” it said.

The statement further highlighted the current economic situation in Nigeria, pointing to rising hardship among citizens.

“Across the country, families are skipping meals, businesses are shutting their doors, and hardworking citizens are watching their incomes evaporate under the weight of relentless inflation and a collapsing purchasing power,” it stated.

It added that what has been presented as reform has translated into worsening living conditions for many Nigerians.

“This is the true state of the nation, and no amount of rhetoric can mask the pain etched into the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” the statement said.

The statement concluded by asserting that Atiku’s record remained “clear, documented, and defensible,” while urging restraint on the part of the president.

“A leader who has not fully resolved questions about his own background should exercise restraint before casting aspersions on others,” it added, ending with a warning: “Nigerians are watching.”

politicoNG:
https://leadership.ng/its-not-my-fault-you-cant-read-again-atiku-fires-back-at-tinubu-over-privatisation-comments/

politicoNG:
https://leadership.ng/its-not-my-fault-you-cant-read-again-atiku-fires-back-at-tinubu-over-privatisation-comments/

Inspirer1:
God abeg,,,, this is getting messy

seunmsg:
Is Delta Steel that you privatized working? Is Ajaokuta that you privatized working? Is NITEL that you sold to PENTASCOPE working? Did you attempt to privatize a political party founded by another man?

Instead of specifically addressing the issues raised by the President, Atiku resorted to insults and innuendos as usual. He kept quiet on the main issues and started running around like a headless chicken on irrelevant issues.

politicoNG:
https://leadership.ng/its-not-my-fault-you-cant-read-again-atiku-fires-back-at-tinubu-over-privatisation-comments/

Emekaonline:
Why is it difficult for Atiku and his supporters to answer the questions. Those entities he privatised, how are they performing? Is electricity, Ajaokuta and others that Atiku privatised, what are the results? If Atiku privatises NNPC, will it not go the same way of others? You can only deceive those who reason with their anvs. Hahaha

garykoeman:
Most of the money he made during privitazation are now invested in Dubai economy.

givedemwotowoto:
The shamelessness of APC

Chijeep:
Atiku is very dangerous where Tinubu is, because Tinubu no fit dare him at all.
The luck Tinubu have is that it's not Atiku people love the way they love Peter Obi

DrAkpa:
If you were not an ilite*rate or akpansi, you would have known that privatization program under Atiku and Obasanjo were all reversed by late president Yaradua. Go school, una no gree go

politicoNG:
https://leadership.ng/its-not-my-fault-you-cant-read-again-atiku-fires-back-at-tinubu-over-privatisation-comments/

1972xy:
How?
What happened to the $16 billion electricity fund...swalloed by atiku
Is Tinubu lying? NO
Atiku sold the Apapa port to Dangote
Tincan port to Rabiu.