Tinubu inherited weak economy from Buhari – Presidency responds to Atiku’s criticisms

The Presidency has accused the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar of hypocrisy over his criticisms of President Bola Tinubu.

Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, asked Atiku to be honest and admit that the president inherited a weak economy from his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Onanuga said contrary to Atiku’s criticisms, Tinubu was working to reform Nigeria’s economy.

Accusing Atiku of not being grounded in facts, Onanuga said the recent indices show that Nigerians still enjoy the lowest cost of living in Africa.

A statement Onanuga signed reads partly: “Nigerians can easily see through the hypocrisy of Atiku, who is accusing President Tinubu of poor response to the nation’s challenges and causing pains and despair, didn’t offer any better policy options in his run for the Presidency different from the economic reform agenda being pursued by President Tinubu.

“Atiku should be honest enough to admit that President Tinubu inherited a weak economy, which to all intents and purposes and to ensure the survival of our country needs a complete overhaul.

“Atiku’s claims that the private sector is shrinking and that multinational companies are leaving our companies in ‘droves’ are not grounded on facts.”

He recalled that the president removed the subsidy upon assumption of office and disclosed plans to harmonise the exchange rates.

Onanuga challenged Atiku to tell Nigerians what he would have done differently regarding the economy if he was elected president rather than subscribing to criticisms.