Atiku’s Criticism of Tinubu Driven by Bitterness, Economic Advocacy Group Says
ABUJA – The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has been accused of basing his persistent criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on bitterness rather than genuine concern, according to a civil society group.
The Advocates for Economic and Political Advancement, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, also dismissed Atiku’s reference to Nigeria’s external reserves—currently about $48.45 billion—as evidence of economic failure, describing such claims as “cheap politics dressed up as concern” and pure propaganda.
Criticism Rooted in Bitterness, Not Analysis
Addressing journalists, Dr. Opialu Fabian, a representative of the group, argued that Atiku’s comments lack genuine economic analysis and are instead fueled by frustration following multiple unsuccessful bids to lead the country.
The group took particular issue with Atiku’s framing of the external reserves figure as a sign of decline. Dr. Fabian noted that the same economic framework projects the reserves to rise above $51 billion within the year, characterizing the current situation as a managed adjustment within an ongoing reform cycle rather than a deterioration.
“Select a number. Strip it of context. Amplify it for political effect. That is not economic analysis. That is political theatre,” the group stated.
The Advocates explained that reserves are influenced by multiple factors, including exchange rate management, capital flows, and liquidity interventions by the Central Bank, and should not be viewed in isolation or weaponized for political gain.
Praise for Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
The group highlighted what they described as significant macroeconomic improvements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. They pointed to a projected economic growth rate of 4.49 percent, a sharp decline in inflation from over 34 percent to about 14.5 percent—with expectations of a further drop to around 12.94 percent—as well as a balance of payments surplus and a gradual return of investor confidence.
They specifically praised the appointment of Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, saying it signals a new era of policy coherence, structured tax reforms, improved revenue generation, and better utilization of idle funds and public assets.
According to the group, over $20 billion currently sits idle in the banking system under reserve requirements, while many public assets worth tens of trillions of naira remain underutilized. Addressing these inefficiencies, they said, forms a core part of the ongoing reforms.
Reforms Showing Positive Results
While acknowledging that Nigeria remains in a transition phase with attendant challenges, the Advocates maintained that the bold decisions taken by the Tinubu administration—particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market—were necessary and are beginning to yield positive results, including increased disbursements to states for development projects.
The group urged Nigerians to focus on the broader picture of structural reforms rather than short-term fluctuations. They called on political actors, especially Atiku Abubakar, to engage honestly with facts instead of recycling talking points that ignore visible progress.
“The economy is stabilising. The reforms are taking hold. The direction is clear. No amount of political noise can change that reality,” the advocate said.
