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Tinubu charges military to step up game to end multidimensional insecurity

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, February 6, charged the Armed Forces and other security agencies to intensify efforts at containing the multi-dimensional security challenges in the country.

He, however, restated his administration’s continued support to the nation’s security forces through the modernization of fleets, training and welfare of personnel.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, President Tinubu gave the charge during the induction ceremony of two TK-129 ATAK Helicopters and a King Air 360i Aircraft at Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Base, Makurdi, Benue State capital.

President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, recalled the commissioning and induction of four additional Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft into the arsenal of the Nigerian Air Force about two months ago, saying it is a symbol of his government’s enduring commitment to the ideals of patriotism and investment in the nation’s security.

He said: “Indeed, our solemn commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s security hinges upon the realisation that without vigilant attention to the needs of our Armed Forces who are saddled with the maintenance of peace, law, order and stability, anarchy and lawlessness would surely prevail.”

Delivering the President’s address, Vice President Shettima noted that the acquisition of helicopters and aircraft had become necessary to improve the strategic use of air power in combating terrorism, insurgency and other security challenges plaguing the nation.

Urging the nation’s security forces to step up their game, President Tinubu said: “I have no doubt that the deployment of these platforms would add impetus to the combat efficiency of the Nigerian Air Force in addressing our contemporary security challenges, not only within the shores of our country but also in the West African region. We are committed to taking the right steps to achieve the desired results.

“The acquisition of these aircraft amongst other military equipment despite our budgetary constraints is an expression of our commitment. We shall ensure that every sector of our nation benefits from the change that we promised. I therefore expect discipline in operation and a strong maintenance culture that will enable the nation to derive maximum benefits from these acquisitions”, he said.

He recalled how since it was established in 1964, the Nigerian Air Force had been playing critical roles in national security, peace-keeping and humanitarian operations globally, noting that its “contributions to the sustenance and maintenance of peace and security in places like The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Cameroun have not only been a source of pride to Nigeria but have projected the nation as a reliable regional power.

“This is indeed most commendable just as the Nigerian Air Force continues to synergize with other security agencies in curtailing the threats posed by terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements in the country.”

Recalling his promise during his inaugural speech last year that security shall be the top priority of his administration, the President said about six months after his proclamations, “So much has been achieved due to the gallant and synergistic efforts of our various security agencies”.

He expressed delight that coordination among security agencies has improved significantly, just as he declared that “there is no room for celebrations until we put an end to the security logjam; until we can bring our troops back to their localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme”.

President Tinubu assured that “professionalism, capacity building and adequate equipping of our Armed Forces and other security agencies are a major policy thrust” of his administration.

He, therefore, reiterated that under his watch, the Federal Government “will continue to re-professionalise and re-equip the Armed Forces and security agencies to effectively discharge their duties to our nation”, noting further that as Chairman of the ECOWAS, he was working diligently to enhance regional conflict management and development mechanisms.

Inducting the aircraft and helicopters, the President said, “Finally, I congratulate the Chief of the Air Staff and all the personnel of the Air Force on this occasion of the commissioning of the T-129 ATAK helicopters and King Air 360i aircraft into the Service. At this juncture, I hereby induct the 2 x T -129 ATAK helicopters as NAF 500 and NAF 501 and King Air 360i as NAF 205 into the Service of the Nigerian Air Force and our country.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, noted that the acquisition and induction of the T129 Atak helicopter and Beechcraft King Air 360i aircraft is a testimony of the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to equip and empower the air force and enhance its capacity to address security challenges confronting the nation, in conjunction with sister forces and security agencies.

Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Burna Boy, Asake, other Grammy Awards nominees

He thanked President Tinubu for the provision to enable the Nigerian Air Force to acquire seven brand-new aircraft within six months of his administration.

The Air Chief disclosed that the Air Force is currently overhauling its operational platforms, equipment and the entire environment to improve its efficiency and service delivery.

On his part, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, said the induction of the new platforms for the Air Force is a testimony of President Tinubu’s resolve to add impetus to the armed forces’ fight against security challenges in the country.

He commended the armed forces for the commitment to executing their assignments in line with the counter-terrorism plan of the present administration, just as he urged the military to imbibe a positive maintenance culture in utilizing platforms purchased by the government.

Also present at the event were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State; some members of the National Assembly from Benue State and members of the state House of Assembly, among others.

February 6, 2024
You are exhibiting personal grudge against Tinubu, group tells Atiku

A body of independent policy analysts under the aegis of the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent moves at demonizing President Bola Tinubu’s policies through deceptive generalizations.

The group described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate’s utterances as nothing but a personal grudge against the President.

IMPI chairman, Niyi Akinsiju in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, February 6, said all the recent press statements by the former Presidential candidate showed an uncharacteristic poor understanding of issues by an individual who was once a Vice President.

Analyzing some of Atiku’s statements on President Tinubu’s policy deployments, the group observed: “In one of the statements, Waziri Abubakar sought an explanation on the conditions precedent to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) securing a $3.3billion loan from the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank), and had gone ahead to make irreverent and commonplace imputations and conclusions that we considered as belittling his station.

“The second statement queried why the President directed the NNPCL to commence payment of crude oil receipts to the federation account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). We find this rather perplexing knowing that Waziri Abubakar had once occupied the second highest office in the land and thus, should understand the basic nuances of the corporate power structure and decision-making process. We also find it perplexing as Atiku in his rejected “Covenant with Nigerians”, supported “transparency and accountability in the operation of NNPC Limited and associated enterprises”.

“The NNPCL had come to the public space to clarify the fact that in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act that set it up, decided to collaborate with the CBN as its revenue receiving authority and there are indeed enough provisions of the Act to back its position.

“To our minds, a neophyte business administrator will know that a company’s board of directors has proprietary rights over the company and, by extension, its management.

Read Also: Presidency knocks Atiku over criticism of govt’s economic policies

“Such decision can be made at the level of the board of directors without much ceremony, especially in consideration of the fact that the CBN is the federal government’s banker. We wonder which bank can better receive NNPCL’s revenue than the CBN? The Waziri is intentional about mudslinging in this circumstance.

“The third in the series of grudge statements poignantly accused President Tinubu of police misbehaviour. We find that rather pedantic,” the group noted.

Comparing Atiku’s first year as Vice President, during which he headed the Obasanjo economic team, with the first eight months of President Tinubu.

“In 1999 when Waziri Abubakar was sworn into office as Vice President and supposed head of the economic team, the inflation rate was 6.9 percent but by 2000, that is a year after, it had risen to 17.8 percent. That was about an 11 percent increase. We noted that there was no policy on fuel subsidy removal at this time that could have possibly triggered this rapid increase in the inflation rate.

“We contrasted this to the 22.41 percent inflation figure in May 2023 when President Tinubuwasswornn in. The latest inflation figure is for December 2023 with the figure stated at 28.92 percent showing about a 6 percent increase.

“This is despite the twin policies of subsidy removal, the floating of the Naira, and the large population the current administration has had to manage.

“In addition, Waziri Abubakar had the added advantage of higher revenue to spend to ameliorate the economic conditions of Nigerians in that year, with earned revenue from mostly crude oil up to $15.81billion but did not reflect in the inflation figure of that year.

“In contrast, the President Tinubu-led administration has not generated up to $ 4 billion from crude oil sales from June 2023 to January 2024, yet the administration has been managing the fallouts of the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the Naira against the background of a large population.

“While we do not contend that this is an exhaustive leadership comparative analysis template, it, however, enabled us to have a snapshot, in time, about the managerial and policy-making skills of the two personalities at issue here.

“We conclude that Waziri Atiku Abubakar under-performed in office despite the resources available to him to manage. And that he cannot manage a resource-shortfall economy.

IMPI argued that for a man who always seeks to make himself look good in the public domain, Atiku still has too many questions to answer about his time in government from the government.

“Among these is the lingering allegation that Waziri Abubakar provided the $20 million to secure Globacom telecommunication license in August 2002 and that he has a front representing his shareholding interest in the company.

“This is more galling when considered against the background of the fight between him and Obasanjo, his boss, over who will take control of the national telecommunications company, NITEL. After many rigmaroles, the two leaders left the company commercially asphyxiated without any value left in it.

“It is today a shadow of its old self with implications for national development. We find this conduct inappropriate and a shameful exhibition of conflict of interest for the man who was the chief superintendent of the sale of national assets.

“Under the same privatisation exercise that Waziri Abubakar supervised, the Kaduna refinery was concessioned to a consortium of companies, the Blue Star. The allegation still subsists concerning the consortium’s claim that it paid $ 250 million for the purchase of the refinery through the National Council on Privatisation (NCP). The CBN Governor at that time declared that the money never got into the federation account.

“There was also a report of the Nigerian Senate in 2007 accusing Abubakar of diverting $145 million from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to private companies.”

IMPI said it expects the former Vice President to be more decorous and truthful in his approach to national issues even as a member of the opposition.

February 6, 2024
Tinubu committed to making life easier for Nigerians, says Wale Edun

The Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has assured Nigerian that President Tinubu is committed to making life easier for them.

He disclosed this on Tuesday, February 6, during his appearance before the House of Representatives to speak on the state of the economy.

Edun said: “Likewise, there have been other benefits which have accrued as a result of the changes that have been made. However, inflation has increased, the cost of living has spiked, and right from the onset, Mr President is committed to making sure that the poorest and the most vulnerable are not left behind. The palliatives, the interventions have been rolled out.”

Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Burna Boy, Asake, other Grammy Awards nominees

He also asked Nigerians to be patient because the economy is currently on a recovery path.

He said: “Where we are as a nation economically is a much better place than we were on the 29th of May, 2023. We have heard from the governor of the CBN. He has talked about the importance of sustainability,” he told the lawmakers in Abuja.

“Before the implementation of the 8-point agenda of the President began, we were in an unsustainable place in terms of the fiscal situation of Nigeria. We were on the road to economic disaster.”

February 6, 2024
Tinubu celebrates Burna Boy, Asake, other Grammy Awards nominees

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated six Nigerian musical exports who got nominations for awards at last Sunday’s Grammy Awards in the United States of America (USA), acknowledging their contributions to Nigeria’s global acceptance.

Burna Boy, Davido, Olamide, Tems, Asake, and Ayra Starr were among an array of global music stars nominated for various categories of the musical arts at the 2024 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.

In a statement on Monday evening by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu said all the nominees were winners, whom he is proud of.

Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Burna Boy, Asake,other Nigerian Grammy Awards nominees

“President Bola Tinubu heartily congratulates Nigeria’s musical talents nominated for the 2024 Grammy Awards: Burna Boy, Davido, Olamide, Tems, Asake, and Ayra Starr.

“President Tinubu celebrates these musical marvels who have put Nigeria on the chart of cultural command through their artistry and anthemic earworms, building and earning our nation enormous soft power.

“The President commends these exceptional artists for their fidelity to the art, audacity, and discipline in the pursuit of excellence,” the statement said.

The President further said: “Our superstars nominated for the Grammy Awards are all winners. I am proud of their exploits. They represent that Nigerian ideal; the courage to strive and succeed against all odds and the hope to stay true to purpose. I congratulate and thank them for being exemplary envoys of Nigeria”.

February 6, 2024
Reward party chieftains, Onoyona urges Tinubu
- By Ademola Mustafa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to reward chieftains of his party who worked for his victory in last year’s poll.

Dr. Sylvester Onoyona, the ruling party’s candidate at the February 2023 National Assembly elections, who made the appeal recently, said there was need for the president to quickly stem the brewing trend of discontent with the APC.

According to him, eight months after Tinubu’s presidency, many of the candidates who fought hard to ensure APC won the election were yet to be contacted for them to contribute their quota into the national development.

“The broad spectrum of the APC candidates who fought tooth a nail for the party’s victory are unfortunately languishing in political oblivion across the states particularly those without godfathers and that explains, perhaps why most strong candidates are near abandoned while those with deeper contacts were able to fight themselves into positions”, he said.

Onoyona, who is from Delta State, urges the President to devise a new approach to reward party faithful arguing that some stalwarts are too hard working to be benched or scheme out of the system by ‘power mongers.’

The politician seeks a direct link by the President to reach out to all contestants under the party flag for adequate patronage stating that all have their individual quota to add to national development having done “our best to work for the emergence of President Tinubu. To whom much is given, much is expected, “ hence the call on the President not to abandon the party loyalists.

Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Burna Boy, Asake,other Nigerian Grammy Awards nominees

He noted that he was not asking for anything extraordinary as that had happened before when all candidates of the party were meaningfully engaged awaiting the next election to fight on.

According to him, the candidates of the party who were not lucky enough to scale through the hurdles of the 2023 electoral voyage and the unreliable judicial process should be appointed into positions.

“The country has enough agencies, parastatals, and ministries that can contain the people who worked for this administration to be particularly the candidates who contributed immensely to the growth of the party.”

In specific terms, Onoyona urged the President to consider appointing people from Isoko clan, Delta State into offices.

“Isoko Nation has not gotten a single appointment from this federal government as if our illustrious sons and daughters are not worthy of appointments while other ethnic nationalities have multiple appointments.

“The President should find a way to reach out to the grass root, discuss with the party candidates, and fashion out a means of assuaging the ill feelings currently pervading our political space.”
February 6, 2024
Tinubu celebrates Burna Boy, Asake,other Nigerian Grammy Awards nominees

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated six Nigerian musical exports who got nominations for awards at last Sunday’s Grammy Awards in the United States of America (U.S.A), acknowledging their contributions to Nigeria’s global acceptance.

Burna Boy, Davido, Olamide, Tems, Asake, and Ayra Starr were among an array of global music stars nominated for various categories at this year’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.

A statement last night in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, reads: “President Bola Tinubu heartily congratulates Nigeria’s musical talents nominated for the 2024 Grammy Awards: Burna Boy, Davido, Olamide, Tems, Asake, and Ayra Starr.

Read Also: Five records broken at the 66th Grammy awards

“President Tinubu celebrates these musical marvels who have put Nigeria on the chart of cultural command through their artistry and anthemic earworms, building and earning our nation enormous soft power.

“The President commends these exceptional artistes for their fidelity to the art, audacity, and discipline in the pursuit of excellence.”

The President added: “Our superstars nominated for the Grammy Awards are all winners. I am proud of their exploits. They represent that Nigerian ideal: the courage to strive and succeed against all odds and the hope to stay true to purpose.

“I congratulate and thank them for being exemplary envoys of Nigeria.”

February 6, 2024
Tinubu, other leaders mourn Namibian President
- •Geingob dies at 82
President Bola Tinubu has joined other African leaders in mourning Namibian President, Hage Geingob.

President Gei ngob, who died of cancer at the age of 82, was reported dead yesterday by the Namibian government.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu noted that President Geingob, whom he described as a veteran of struggle for democracy, died at a time the African continent is in need of more visionary leaders, who believe in its common destiny.

“On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu extends deep condolences to the government and people of Namibia over the passing of His Excellency, President Hage Geingob.

“President Tinubu mourns the painful loss of this veteran in the struggle for democracy; proponent of good governance, and advocate of economic, social, and political solidarity among African peoples.

“The President notes that this tragedy comes at a time when Africa needs more visionary leaders who believe in the common destiny of the continent, and who can strengthen bonds across borders and spread the tendrils of cooperation across all fields of human endeavour.

“As Namibia mourns, President Tinubu assures the Republic that his thoughts and prayers, and indeed those of Nigerians, are with them”, the statement said.

Geingob, who was serving his second term as president, revealed last month that he was receiving treatment for cancer.

“It is with utmost sadness and regret that I inform you that our beloved Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the President of the Republic of Namibia has passed on today,” a statement signed off by the acting president, Nangolo Mbumba, said.

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa described the late Geingob as an outstanding leader, patriot and friend of South Africa.

He described Geingob as a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid.

“He was also greatly influential in the solidarity that the people of Namibia extended to the people of South Africa so that we could be free today,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa reflected on his recent visit to Namibia in October 2023, where the two leaders committed that the two countries agreed to have a closer partnership.

His Tanzania counterpart mourned Geingob as a brother, a venerable Pan Africanist and a great friend of Tanzania.

“On behalf of the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I send my condolences to the people of the Republic of Namibia, the Acting President, His Excellency Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, Madam First Lady, Her Excellency Monica Kalondo, family, friends and comrades in SWAPO,” Suluhu said.

“May you all be comforted during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace. Amen,” she added.

The Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi mourned Geingob as an illustrious son of Africa, noting that his death was a big loss for the entire continent.

“I condole with the First Family at this most difficult moment and pray for God’s fortitude upon it and the entire nation of Namibia. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Kingi said.

His National Assembly counterpart, Moses Wetang’ula, also extended his condolences to the people of Namibia and Geingob’s family.

“I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Namibia’s President, H.E Hage Geingob. May his legacy of leadership and dedication bring comfort during this difficult time,” Wetangula said.

“My thoughts are with the people of Namibia and Africa as a whole, as they mourn the loss of a great leader,” Wetangula added.

On his part, Azimio leader, Raila Odinga, in his message, remembered Geingob as a true pan – Africanist.

“His legacy as a beacon of the liberation struggle and architect of Namibia’s constitution will forever echo in the hearts of his people and across Africa,” Raila said.

Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan in his condolence message mourned Geingob as a revered freedom fighter and played a crucial role in Namibia’s quest for independence.

Hassan described him as a big-hearted and down-to-earth person as well as a cherished friend.

The two first met during SWAPO’s independence struggle and later reconnected with when Geingob became Namibia’s inaugural Prime Minister in the early 1990s.

“Hage was big-hearted, down-to-earth, witty, honest, and a progressive intellectual. We’ve lost a cherished friend, and Namibia has lost an incredible leader. Go well, Comrade,” the legislator said.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtata mourned Geingob as a son of the African soil and an astute politician.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris said Geingob’s legacy as a transformative leader will endure even when he is gone.

Geingob had been in the U.S. briefly for “treatment therapy” for cancerous cells but died late Saturday, a few days after his return to continue receiving treatment in Namibia.

Read Also: Jimoh, frontrunner in Ondo APC, forges ahead

He died at Lady Pohamba Hospital with his wife and his children by his side.

First elected president in 2014, Geingob was Namibia’s longest serving prime minister and third president.

In 2013, Geingob underwent brain surgery, and last year he underwent an aortic operation in neighbouring South Africa.

Namibia is to hold presidential and national assembly elections towards the end of the year.

The 82-year-old president who also served for 12 years as prime minister, had a history of health problems that preceded his election as Namibia’s third president in 2014.

New president sworn in

Namibia has a new president in the shape of Nangolo Mbumba just hours after, as vice-president, he had announced the death of his predecessor.

He has since been sworn-in as Geingob’s replacement and will serve in the role until elections due later this year.

“I am not going to be around for the elections so don’t panic,” he said at a swiftly arranged swearing-in ceremony at state house, just 15 hours after the death of the president.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, he said “our nation remains calm and stable owing to the leadership of President Geingob who was the chief architect of the constitution”.

“I take on this heavy mantle cognisant of the weight of responsibility.”
February 5, 2024
‘Tinubu needs support not criticisms’

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the fight against insecurity.

He said they should stop the negative criticisms that could distract him.

Oyintiloye, speaking with reporters yesterday in Osogbo, said the rate of insecurity in the country was becoming alarming, adding that the development called for sober reflection.

He said: “This is a period Nigerians need to rally round the president and his administration to find solution to security challenges facing the country.”

Oyintiloye, a former member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), who condemned the recent killings, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and others by men of the underworld across the country, said there was no doubt that the president was doing everything possible to restore peace to the country.

Read Also: Jimoh, frontrunner in Ondo APC, forges ahead

According to him, “this is a trying period for all Nigerians, who are saddened with the latest multiple killings and kidnapping ravaging the country.”

He said Nigerians must take solace in God, while government should fashion out strategies to address the situation, instead of negative criticism that would not solve the problem.

“No one is happy with the recent killing, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and others across the country, but negative criticism and names calling by the leaders of the opposition parties is not the way forward.

“What we need at the critical period is for us as stakeholders to come together, irrespective of our political affiliation, religion or tribe and give the current administration the needed boost and encouragement.”

February 5, 2024
Gusau praises Tinubu, others as Super Eagles hit semi finals

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has applauded the contributions of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Senate, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Nigeria’s FIFA Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick as the Super Eagles wended elegantly and unapologetically into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Cote d’Ivoire.

Gusau, ever modest and level-headed even in the midst of mass excitement and euphoria of Nigeria’s progress, said as much in a federation’s release that he would rather give credit for the team’s advancement to key individuals who have played major roles behind the scenes to spur the team to rise to higher heights.

He said: “Let me tell you something: that virtual interaction that our Father of the Nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) had with the players prior to the match against Angola was highly motivating and inspiring at the same time. He told them to go for it because they can do it and that they have the capacity to go all the way. The players told me his words kept ringing in their ears.

“We also commend the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic, Chief Godswill Akpabio (CON) for finding the time to come all the way to Abidjan to cheer the Eagles to victory against the Angolans. It was a very tough game but the players knew the whole of Nigeria was behind them having heard the words of Mr. President and knowing that the country’s number three man was in the stands cheering them on.”

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Three-time champions Nigeria have cruised into the last four of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, with solid performances against host nation Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon and Angola, following an opening day 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.

“I must also give kudos to Nigeria’s Member of the esteemed FIFA Council, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, my predecessor in office. He has been amazing in the way he has supported everything we are doing and provided valuable advice every now and then. He is a real patriot with so much passion and the NFF is grateful to him.”

Nigeria will now square up to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the competition’s first semi-final at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake on Wednesday evening.

NFF President Gusau welcoming Senate President Akpabio and his entourage to Abidjan on Friday.

February 5, 2024
Tinubu: Presidency blasts Atiku, describes ex-VP as new opposition-in-chief

Presidency has berated the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his recent comments on President Bola Tinibu and his government.

The special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a statement he issued on Sunday, February 4, said Atiku has embraced a new role in Nigerian politics, emerging as the chief opposition figure to President Tinubu and his administration.

According to him, following his unsuccessful bid for the presidency, Atiku has taken on the mantle of opposition-in-chief, voicing criticism and offering commentary on various aspects of the government’s policies and actions.

He said in his latest remarks, Atiku criticized the state of the economy under President Tinubu’s leadership, suggesting that the administration has not adequately addressed key challenges and has failed to provide viable policy alternatives.

He said: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has certainly found a new hobby to keep himself busy, having failed to achieve his lifelong ambition of becoming the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is increasingly carving for himself the role of opposition-in-chief to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government.

“However, we notice that the former Vice-President, just like in his political contests, is also doing a poor job of it, offering pedestrian and uninformed interventions on our economy and other matters of public concerns.

“Atiku’s latest diatribe was another uncharitable commentary on the state of the economy and the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration in remoulding it for sustained prosperity.

“Nigerians can easily see through the hypocrisy of Alhaji Atiku, who in 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.

“All the major candidates agreed that the fuel subsidy regime, which had become an albatross on the economy, must end. They all agreed that the multiple exchange rates must be fixed. Where President Tinubu and Atiku differed was in selling NNPC Limited and other national assets. Atiku went for this so he could sell these important national assets to his friends and cronies.

He added: “President Tinubu removed the subsidy from Day One and announced moves to harmonise the exchange rates. Since then, he and his economic team have been working vigorously to harmonise the rates and also end the rampant and criminal arbitrage that the multiple windows allowed.

Onanuga noted that President Tinubu acknowledged, on different occasions, that the reforms his government is implementing will cause immediate pains, but will usher in an era of prosperity in the medium and long terms.

He stated: “Minus Atiku, reputable local and international agencies who understand the situation the Tinubu administration found itself have commended the administration, having seen a policy trajectory that is clearly positive, realistic and sustainable.

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

“His claim that the government’s policies have created intense cost of living pressures are also not grounded on facts as recent comparative cost of living indices show that Nigerians still enjoy the lowest cost of living in Africa.

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“Instead of mouthing platitudes every time in a bid to earn cheap political mileage, Alhaji Atiku who presumes himself as the leader of opposition should tell Nigerians what he would have done better if he had been elected President.”

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

He reiterated: “The economy was plagued by decades of significant fiscal deficits, a low revenue base, high external and domestic debts, and huge debt service burden.

“The national budget Tinubu met in 2023 showed that 97 percent of revenue was to be spent on debt servicing, with little reserved for capital, thereby foreclosing growth and jobs.

“Confronted with this grim economic reality, President Tinubu faced a difficult choice of balancing the political and economic costs of reforms against the risks of economic recession. His government chose the former, to keep the economy afloat and set it back on the path of growth and prosperity.

“President Tinubu is focused on solving our economic and security challenges. The fiscal and monetary policies his administration is pursuing are delivering unprecedented value to investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Nigerian Stock Exchange is outperforming others in the world and is now the best, not based on bubble, but record profits by many listed companies.

“The administration has also embarked on comprehensive fiscal and tax policy reform that will drive speedy recovery and spur economic growth.

“Nigerians and the global investment communities trust the ability and competence of President Tinubu to deliver progress and shared prosperity.

“While President Tinubu and his able team are working very hard to make our country better, ensure our economy is stronger and more competitive, Atiku Abubakar and his cohorts may continue to belly ache.

“However, they cannot stop the serious work of nation-building already set in motion by President Tinubu.”

February 4, 2024