The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar has placed blame for Nigeria’s economic hardships squarely on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

In a statement shared on his official X account on Sunday, Atiku urged Tinubu to draw lessons from Argentina’s President Javier Milei in swiftly restoring investor confidence, despite facing economic challenges.

Atiku’s statement was sharp and direct: “Nigeria is where we are today simply because of what Tinubu has done or did not do. His shifting the blame on the opposition and, even ridiculously, his predecessor is needless and myopic.”

He contrasted the approaches of Tinubu and President Milei, highlighting Milei’s strategic sequencing of reforms and readiness for post-reform challenges. Atiku commended Milei for his sacrifices and efficient governance, contrasting this with what he described as Tinubu’s hasty and poorly considered policies.

“The reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration are ad hoc and hurriedly put together without proper review. Ours is unlike Argentina’s Milei, who is sequencing his reforms,” Atiku remarked.

Atiku criticized Tinubu’s administration for what he deemed excessive spending on personal accommodations and bureaucratic expansions. He likened Tinubu’s approach to characters in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, accusing him of prioritizing scapegoating over effective governance.

In a call to action, Atiku underscored the urgency of adopting clear policies and leadership-driven reforms to address Nigeria’s economic woes. He emphasized the need for collaboration between stakeholders and expressed readiness to work with the government to implement his Recover Nigeria Plan.

“It is a plan that I am more than willing to disclose details of its workings with the current government to take Nigeria out of the hunger and anger that we find ourselves in,” Atiku affirmed.

The statement comes amid escalating economic challenges in Nigeria, marked by soaring inflation rates and a steep cost of living. 

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, headline inflation rose to 29.90 percent, with food inflation at 35.42 percent in January 2024.