The Presidency has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of being envious of President Bola Tinubu’s position. According to Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Atiku, who has failed to win the presidency multiple times, now seems focused on undermining Tinubu rather than addressing the issues within his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Onanuga criticized Atiku for promoting economic ideas that were not popular with Nigerians. He argued that Atiku’s proposals lacked practical solutions and were rejected during the 2023 election. Instead of supporting his own party, Atiku appeared more interested in attacking the current administration. Onanuga also suggested that Atiku’s envy stemmed from the fact that he had failed to win the presidency despite attempting it six times.

The statement from the presidency also called out Atiku’s economic plans for being unrealistic. Onanuga pointed out that Tinubu’s government had already taken immediate action to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges, unlike Atiku, whose ideas were seen as detached from the country’s real needs. Atiku’s approach was described as theoretical, while Tinubu’s administration had been proactive in implementing reforms.

One of the major points of contention was Atiku’s plan to privatize Nigeria’s government-owned refineries. Onanuga argued that this plan was flawed, pointing to the failed attempts during Atiku’s previous time in government. He highlighted that the current administration under Tinubu was focusing on revitalizing the refineries and investing in local production, which would be more beneficial for Nigeria’s economy.

The presidency also addressed Atiku’s accusations of corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Onanuga explained that the removal of fuel subsidies by Tinubu had significantly reduced corruption in the sector. He criticized Atiku for suggesting outdated approaches, particularly his proposal for a phased-out fuel subsidy removal, which had led to fiscal challenges in other countries.

In conclusion, the presidency urged Atiku to focus on constructive discussions rather than continue to criticize without offering realistic solutions. Nigerians had rejected Atiku’s proposals in the 2023 election, and it was clear that Tinubu’s leadership was more focused on addressing the country’s pressing issues.