A sharp exchange has emerged between the Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the state of Nigeria’s economy, particularly regarding hunger and social unrest. The disagreement comes amid ongoing debates over economic reforms and the effectiveness of the Tinubu administration’s policies.
On Monday, Atiku Abubakar, speaking through his media office, warned that worsening poverty and hunger in the country risked pushing citizens toward criminality and social unrest. He cited historical examples, including the French Revolution of 1789, the 1917 Russian Bolshevik Revolution, and the Arab Spring, as outcomes of widespread deprivation and government indifference.
Atiku also drew parallels to Nigeria’s own ENDSARS protests, attributing them to public frustration and hunger.
“The masses of Nigerians are progressively wallowing in misery and poverty under the watch of the Tinubu-led APC administration,” Atiku said.
He further stressed that two years into the Tinubu government, there were still “no manifest signs” that hunger and poverty were being addressed effectively.
“Reforms must have a human face and prioritise citizens’ welfare. Whatever reform the Tinubu government might claim to be undertaking, the point remains that food insecurity is a daily occurrence nationwide,” he added.
The Presidency responded swiftly to Atiku’s remarks. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, described the former vice president’s statements as “grossly misleading” and “out of touch with the positive developments currently unfolding in the country.”
Onanuga criticised Atiku for comparing Nigeria’s current conditions to historic revolutions, saying such comparisons showed a “disconnect from the authentic Nigerian reality.”
In support of its position, the Presidency cited recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), noting that headline inflation had declined for the fifth consecutive month in August. The NBS also reported a record trade surplus, with non-oil exports now contributing nearly 48 per cent of Nigeria’s trade balance, and crude oil accounting for the remainder.
Foreign exchange reserves have reportedly increased to nearly $42 billion, up from $32 billion at the start of President Tinubu’s tenure, while more than $7 billion in arrears, including $800 million owed to airlines, have been cleared.
Onanuga said that states are now able to pay salaries and pensions promptly while still maintaining funds for capital and social projects, describing these developments as evidence of measurable progress.
“Nigeria is moving in the right direction,” he said, adding that many of the economic challenges facing the country stemmed from mismanagement during the PDP administration when Atiku served as Vice President.
Since taking office in 2023, President Tinubu has implemented major economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira. While these policies have faced criticism for increasing the cost of living, the Presidency maintains that they are necessary for long-term economic stability and growth.
The exchange highlights a continuing debate over Nigeria’s economic trajectory, the effectiveness of reforms, and the administration’s ability to address pressing social issues such as hunger and poverty.
