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By Seyi Babalola
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s comments on his part in Nigeria’s privatisation programme.
Tinubu criticised Atiku on Thursday, accusing him of wanting to privatise the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tinubu claimed Atiku’s previous involvement in Nigeria’s privatisation initiative was unsuccessful.
The ex-vice-president’s riposte was contained in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication.
Shaibu described Tinubu’s comments as a “reckless tirade” reflecting “a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia”.
“Atiku Abubakar’s attention has been drawn to the latest reckless tirade by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — a performance that exposes not just desperation, but a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia,” the statement reads.
Shaibu said Tinubu’s privatisation criticism is at variance with his current policies.
He stated that Atiku has long campaigned for the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the selling of refineries to private investors.
Shaibu said the current administration is implementing similar policies without transparency.
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“This is not reform; it is privatisation without accountability,” he said.
The statement added that Tinubu”s remarks reflect a failure to engage with documented history.
“You cannot oppose reform when it demands courage and then execute a shadow version of it in power,” he said.
“The President’s attempt to reduce a serious economic legacy to playground ridicule only underscores a deeper problem: a leadership more comfortable with insults than with facts.”
Shaibu said current economic conditions contradict the administration’s claims.
“Across the country, families are skipping meals, businesses are shutting their doors, and hardworking citizens are watching their incomes evaporate under the weight of relentless inflation and a collapsing purchasing power,” he added.
“What has been marketed as reform has translated into hardship without relief.”
Shaibu said Atiku’s record in public service remains “clear, documented, and defensible”.
“A leader who has not fully resolved questions about his own background should exercise restraint before casting aspersions on others,” the statement added.
