Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has raised allegations that he did not lose the recent presidential election.
In a series of statements, Atiku claimed that the election outcome was “criminally stolen” and criticized current President Bola Tinubu’s approach to governance, particularly in the area of economic policy.
According to Atiku, Nigerian citizens are now experiencing “excruciating pain” due to what he describes as “trial-and-error economic policies” implemented by Tinubu’s administration.
He asserted that this has led to a period of economic “turmoil” for many Nigerians, pointing to what he sees as a lack of structured planning in the government’s approach.
The presidency responded firmly through Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Onanuga stated that Atiku’s ideas were rejected by Nigerians during the election because they “lacked details,” adding that Tinubu’s victory was legitimate and a reflection of public choice.
Atiku, however, argued that Nigerians who voted in the 2023 presidential election “are well aware” that he did not truly lose, claiming the electoral process itself was flawed. He further emphasized that his campaign had laid out a “comprehensive recovery plan” for the nation’s economy, crafted with input from Nigerians to ensure it was inclusive.
In his words: “Let me emphasise that the citizens who cast their votes in the 2023 presidential election are well aware that I did not lose; rather, we find ourselves in this predicament because the election was criminally stolen from the Nigerian people.”
“I have taken note of the initial responses highlighting the striking disparity between President Tinubu’s faltering economic policies and the alternatives I have proposed. It is exciting to witness such a vigorous debate on these critical matters, and I sincerely hope that this discourse will ultimately benefit Nigeria and its citizens.
“Like many fellow Nigerians, I firmly believe that we find ourselves in this current economic turmoil due to the Tinubu administration’s hasty ascent to power, devoid of a coherent plan. In stark contrast, my team not only devised a comprehensive recovery plan but also welcomed significant input from Nigerians, ensuring that our approach was inclusive and well-considered.
“Isn’t it fascinating how the so-called ‘tested’ Tinubu administration’s only policy response seems to be a national prayer led by the First Lady and the NSA? Just a mere 24 hours after I proposed my alternative solutions! What a bold strategy! In my humble interpretation of the scriptures, prayer indeed serves as a noble path to follow. However, the sacred texts also counsel us to engage in diligent labour and hard work.
“It is, therefore, uncharitable for Tinubu’s team to claim that my proposals remain untested. What remains unproven is the erratic, trial-and-error nature of the policies so far implemented by this administration, which elucidates our present predicament.”
“Let us not forget that under our economic stewardship between 1999 and 2003, Nigeria soared to the pinnacle of Africa’s economies, while their administration has relegated us to a disheartening fourth position.
“The average GDP rate under the Obasanjo administration, which I served in, was 6.59% and peaked at 15% in 2002; it was 7.98% under the late Yar’Adua administration and 4.8% under Jonathan, compared to the dismal 2.8% of the so-called ‘tested’ Tinubu era. Enough of the pains from the shambolic ‘bolekaja’ economic policy prescriptions!
“We cannot hope to tax our way out of the economic quagmire wrought by these misguided experimental policies of a novice administration. Numerous nations, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Monaco (an EU territory with a zero-income tax policy), among many others, have emerged as economic powerhouses by fostering growth through lower taxation. Why, then, are we fixated on inflicting further hardship upon an already struggling populace?
“One can only speculate that Tinubu’s government is anchored to a mere Tea-plan, which can only lead to a T-pain,” Atiku said.
