Presidency to Atiku: ‘You’re out of touch with reality’

The Presidency has fired back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his latest critique of the state of the nation, describing his comments as “out of touch” with the economic progress Nigeria is recording under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

In a statement issued on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Atiku’s remarks, where he likened Nigeria’s current situation to pre-revolutionary France in 1789 and Russia in 1917, as misleading and disconnected from reality.

“Talk is cheap,” Onanuga said, stressing that the data coming from credible national institutions showed a different picture.

He pointed to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which revealed that headline inflation had declined for the fifth consecutive month as of August.

The NBS also announced over the weekend that Nigeria had recorded a historic trade surplus, with non-oil exports now contributing 48 per cent of the country’s trade balance, compared with 52 per cent from crude oil.

According to the Presidency, Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have rebounded strongly, rising from $32 billion when Tinubu assumed office to nearly $42 billion today, despite the clearance of more than $7 billion in outstanding obligations, including $800 million owed to foreign airlines.

Onanuga also highlighted improved government revenues, noting that states are now paying salaries and pensions promptly while also having surplus funds for capital and social projects, something he described as unprecedented in the nation’s recent history.

“The progress being made is undeniable. Nigeria is moving in the right direction under President Tinubu’s reforms,” the statement read.

“Atiku and his party are still stuck in the past, clinging to doomsday predictions, while Nigerians can see and feel the positive changes around them,” he added.

The Presidency further accused Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of bearing responsibility for many of the economic challenges confronting the country, pointing to alleged mismanagement during their years in power.

“President Tinubu and his team are working relentlessly to correct those errors through bold reforms,” Onanuga added, stressing that after two years and five months in office, the administration had laid a foundation for sustainable growth and development.

Atiku, who has remained one of President Tinubu’s most vocal critics, had earlier claimed that hunger and hardship were ravaging Nigeria, warning of potential instability if urgent measures were not taken.