The Presidency has strongly criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following his recent remarks on the state of the nation, dismissing his claims about widespread hunger and looming unrest as misleading and disconnected from current realities in Nigeria.
In a statement issued earlier today, Atiku likened Nigeria’s present challenges to conditions that led to the 1789 French Revolution and the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. He warned that the growing level of hunger in the country could spark a similar uprising.
Responding to the comments, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rejected Atiku’s comparisons, stating that recent data reflects steady progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“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,” the statement read.
Citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Onanuga noted that headline inflation had declined for five consecutive months as of August. He also pointed to a record trade surplus reported over the weekend, with non-oil exports now contributing nearly as much as crude oil to the trade balance — a ratio of 48:52 percent.
The Presidency further stated that Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have risen to nearly $42 billion, up from $32 billion when President Tinubu assumed office. It also highlighted the clearance of over $7 billion in financial arrears, including $800 million owed to foreign airlines.
According to the statement, states across the country are now able to pay salaries and pensions promptly while still investing in infrastructure and social projects — a situation it described as unprecedented.
“After just over two years in office, we are proud of the progress being made under President Tinubu’s leadership. Atiku and his allies may choose to ignore these gains, but Nigerians can see and feel the positive changes taking place across the nation,” Onanuga added.
The Presidency also accused Atiku and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of promoting “doomsday scenarios and revolutionary rhetoric,” claiming that many of today’s economic challenges stem from mismanagement during the PDP era, when Atiku served as Vice President.
