Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp rebuttal against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of hypocrisy, distortion of facts, and political desperation.
In a statement issued Friday by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Tinubu’s recent comments as a “reckless tirade,” alleging they reflect a pattern of inconsistency and selective memory.
The former vice president’s camp expressed surprise that a sitting president who has faced scrutiny over his own background would attempt to discredit others with what it called verifiable public records.
Atiku also defended his long-standing support for privatisation, particularly reforms involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), arguing that his policies helped revive struggling public enterprises and promote private sector growth.
He cited companies such as Oando Plc, Conoil Plc, and Transcorp Hilton Abuja as examples of successful outcomes from the privatisation programme he oversaw.
The statement, however, accused the current administration of pursuing what it described as opaque economic reforms, alleging that ongoing changes in the oil sector lack transparency and accountability.
“This is not reform; it is privatisation without accountability,” the statement said.
Beyond policy disagreements, Atiku criticised the tone of Tinubu’s remarks, accusing the president of resorting to mockery rather than engaging in substantive debate.
The opposition figure also painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s economy, pointing to rising inflation, declining purchasing power, and worsening insecurity as evidence of hardship under the current administration.
Atiku further argued that his record in public office remains “clear and defensible,” while suggesting that unresolved questions about Tinubu’s background should warrant restraint in public criticism.
The exchange follows comments by Tinubu during a meeting with political supporters in Abuja, where he dismissed opposition figures as “noise-makers” and questioned the effectiveness of past privatisation efforts under Atiku’s leadership.
The escalating war of words highlights growing political tensions ahead of future elections, with both figures trading criticisms over economic management and governance.