₦airaland Forum

The Presidency has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the economy, describing his comments on hunger and poverty as misleading and out of touch with reality.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Monday through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, had warned that worsening poverty and hunger in the country could spark social unrest similar to the French, Russian, and Arab Spring revolutions.

He argued that after more than two years in office, there were “no manifest signs that this government is capable of addressing the grim issue of severe hunger staring the poor in the face.”

But in a swift rebuttal via a statement on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Atiku’s remarks were disconnected from the “authentic Nigerian reality.”

“Talk is cheap. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his handlers are clearly out of touch with the positive developments currently unfolding in our country,” Onanuga said.

He dismissed Atiku’s comparison of Nigeria’s current challenges to historical revolutions as “grossly misleading,” insisting that recent data paints a more optimistic picture of the economy.

“Just today, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released its figures for August, showing that headline inflation has declined for the fifth consecutive month. Over the weekend, the NBS also reported a record trade surplus, with the contribution of non-oil exports to our trade balance now nearly matching that of crude oil at a ratio of 48:52 per cent,” Onanuga noted.

According to him, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have risen to nearly $42 billion, up from $32 billion when Tinubu assumed office, even after clearing over $7 billion in arrears, including $800 million owed to international airlines.

He added that the administration is recording unprecedented revenues, enabling states to pay salaries and gratuities promptly while still funding capital and social projects.

“Nigeria is moving in the right direction. In contrast, Atiku and his party remain stuck in the past, fixated on doomsday scenarios and revolutionary rhetoric. Ironically, many of the challenges we face today stem from the economic mismanagement during the PDP years, when Atiku was vice president,” Onanuga said.

He stressed that after two years and five months in office, Tinubu’s government has shown progress with “bold reforms” and Nigerians “can see and feel the positive changes taking place across the nation.”

Ance4Liverpool:
Chochocho Everytime but people are dieing of hunger and insecurities on daily basis.
My prayers is for God to treat anyone supporting this APC government the way they are treating Nigerians amen

Aify147:
Comedians in power. Incompetence and APC government are 5&6. What baffles isn't even the lies of the politicians, but the stupid followership they enjoy from their gullible followers

Burob:
Go and tell Aliko Dangote, or Femi Otedola this bull crap.

ambale:
So those are the only Nigerians that should be enjoying right??

Who do una this thing abeg?

ambale:
Na everything Buhari take pass Tinubu abeg

Even in lying he still pass am

This Onanuga no just sabi how to lie at all

Burob:
The real world is not on the World Wide Web, stop waiting for miracles, u reap what u sow, your state & local government has let u down.

Burob:
So so many of them to mention, the motto, work smart, pray or hope expectantly, surely everything worketh for good.

ambale:
Crap as usual

Where's the massive employment opportunities your god promised when he was canvassing for votes?

He's a failure plain

Dangote and Otedola didn't need Tinubu to establish their greatness, how many poor people has his policies lifted na him we dey talk

ZUBY77:
Nothing has ever been announced as achieved. Always on the path, always. They will tell us the same thing next year. People are hungry in this country.

MrColdsweat:
He comes from a tribe where they believe their own lies to the point the lie becomes their reality.

Ance4Liverpool:
Chochocho Everytime but people are dieing of hunger and insecurities on daily basis.
My prayers is for God to treat anyone supporting this APC government the way they are treating Nigerians amen