The Presidency on Monday dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s warning that Nigeria could face unrest similar to the French Revolution due to widespread hunger, describing the opposition leader’s comments as “cheap talk” and disconnected from economic realities.
Atiku, who lost to President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, had warned that growing hardship could spark mass anger reminiscent of the 1789 French uprising or Russia’s 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.
But in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and recent fiscal reports showed Nigeria was on a stronger path.
“Their latest statement demonstrates a disconnect from the authentic Nigerian reality,” the statement read.
According to the Presidency, headline inflation declined for the fifth consecutive month in August, while Nigeria recorded a historic trade surplus, with non-oil exports nearly matching crude oil at a 48:52 ratio. Foreign reserves, it added, have climbed to nearly $42bn—up from $32bn when Tinubu assumed office—after clearing more than $7bn in arrears, including $800m owed to foreign airlines.
“Under President Tinubu, Nigeria is recording unprecedented revenues. States are now able to pay salaries and gratuities promptly and still have surplus funds for capital and social projects—an achievement not previously witnessed at this scale. Nigeria is moving in the right direction,” Onanuga stated.
The Presidency accused Atiku and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of ignoring these improvements, insisting that many of the current challenges stemmed from mismanagement during their years in power.
“In contrast, Atiku and his party remain stuck in the past, fixated on doomsday scenarios and revolutionary rhetoric. Ironically, many of the challenges we face today stem from the economic mismanagement during the PDP years, when Atiku was Vice President. President Tinubu and his team are working relentlessly to correct those errors, with bold reforms,” it said.
President Tinubu, who has spent two years and five months in office, has rolled out major economic reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate unification. Government officials argue these policies are stabilising state finances and attracting investment.
However, critics note that food inflation remains high, poverty is widespread, and the reforms have deepened short-term hardship.
“We are proud of the progress being made under President Tinubu’s leadership. Atiku and his allies may choose to ignore these gains, but Nigerians can see and feel the positive changes taking place across the nation,” the Presidency maintained.
Stay tuned to 9am News Nigeria for more Breaking News, Business News, Sports updates And Entertainment Gists.
