Presidency Accuses Atiku Of Envying Tinubu’s Leadership

The presidency on Sunday launched a blistering attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of harboring deep-seated envy towards President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

In a lengthy statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga dismissed Atiku’s frequent criticisms as a reflection of frustration stemming from his multiple failed bids for the presidency.

“Since his defeat in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku has diverted his attention from resolving internal issues within his own party to a sustained campaign aimed at undermining the efforts of President Tinubu,” the statement read.

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“His ongoing attacks are driven more by personal ambition than a genuine desire to improve the country.”

The presidency’s statement was a direct response to Atiku’s recent release, titled “What We Would Have Done Differently,” which laid out his economic proposals as an alternative to Tinubu’s policies.

According to the presidency, Atiku’s ideas were recycled from his 2023 election platform, which was overwhelmingly rejected by the Nigerian public.

Onanuga accused the former vice president of failing to grasp the urgency of Nigeria’s economic challenges, noting that his critiques lacked substantive alternatives.

“Atiku’s proposals suggest a fundamental misunderstanding of the nation’s problems and an alarming lack of urgency in addressing them,” the statement continued.

Highlighting the reforms initiated by President Tinubu, the presidency pointed to the removal of the fuel subsidy, a key policy that Atiku has repeatedly criticized.

The presidency also rebuked Atiku’s call to privatize Nigeria’s refineries, arguing that such an approach would be detrimental to the country’s long-term interests.

“Atiku’s tenure as vice president was marred by controversial asset sales that failed to deliver value to Nigeria,” the statement said. “In contrast, President Tinubu is committed to rehabilitating our refineries to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign imports.”

Furthermore, the presidency addressed Atiku’s anti-corruption rhetoric, accusing him of hypocrisy given his history of allegations during his vice presidency. “Many Nigerians find it difficult to take Atiku seriously on anti-corruption, especially considering the accusations against him and his family members,” Onanuga stated.

The presidency concluded that Atiku’s continued criticisms were not rooted in a desire to improve the country but rather in an inability to accept the outcome of the 2023 election.

“Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue, Atiku has chosen to indulge in the politics of envy, distracting from the real issues facing Nigeria,” Onanuga asserted.