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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s comments on his role in Nigeria’s privatization program under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.
Tinubu jad on Thursday accused Atiku of trying to privatize the African Democratic Congress (ADC), although he stated that Atiku’s role in Nigeria’s past privatization programs had turned out to be unsuccessful.
Responding to a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communications, Atiku described Tinubu’s comments as “reckless tirades” that reflected a “disturbing pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia”.
“Atiku Abubakar’s attention has been drawn to the latest reckless tirade by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – a display that exposes not only hopelessness, but also a disturbing pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia,” the statement read.
Shaibu said criticism of Tinubu’s privatization was different from his current policies.
He said Atiku had long advocated the privatization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the sale of the refinery to private investors.
Shaibu said the current government is implementing similar policies without transparency.
“This is not reform; this is privatization without accountability,” he said.
The statement added that Tinubu’s statement reflected a failure to understand documented history.
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“You can’t oppose reform when it demands courage and then implement a shadow version of it when in power,” he said.
“The President’s attempt to reduce a sobering economic legacy to ridicule only underscores a deeper problem: leadership is more comfortable with insults than with facts.”
Shaibu said the current economic conditions contradicted the government’s claims.
“Across the country, families are skipping meals, businesses are closing, and hard-working citizens are watching their incomes evaporate under the weight of unrelenting inflation and weakening purchasing power,” he added.
“What was marketed as reform has translated into hardship without relief.”
Shaibu said Abubakar’s track record in public service remained “clear, documented and defensible”.
“A leader who has not fully resolved questions about his own background should restrain himself before casting aspersions on others,” the statement added.
