Talk is cheap: Presidency fires back at Atiku, highlights robust economic gains under Tinubu’s leadership

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Presidency has responded firmly to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s remarks questioning President Bola Tinubu’s ability to govern effectively, describing the criticisms as disconnected from Nigeria’s current realities.

“Talk is cheap,” the Presidency declared, according to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasising that Atiku and his handlers are “clearly out of touch with the positive developments currently unfolding in our country.”

Presidential spokesman criticised Atiku’s comparison of Nigeria’s situation to the upheavals preceding the 1789 French Revolution and the 1917 Russian Bolshevik Revolution as “grossly misleading” and a sign of “disconnect from the authentic Nigerian reality.”

Highlighting concrete economic data, the Presidency pointed to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), stating, “Just today, the National Bureau of Statistics released its figures for August, showing that headline inflation has declined for the fifth consecutive month.” Further evidence of economic progress is seen in a “record trade surplus,” with the contribution of non-oil exports now nearly matching that of crude oil at a ratio of “48:52 per cent.”

On Nigeria’s financial reserves, the Presidency noted significant improvements: “Our foreign exchange reserves are on the rise, now approaching $42 billion. When President Tinubu assumed office, reserves stood at $32 billion, much of it encumbered.” The administration has also cleared “over $7 billion in arrears, including $800 million owed to airlines,” strengthening the country’s fiscal position.

The Presidency also pointed out the positive ripple effects at the subnational level, saying, “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.”

The statement concluded with a direct rebuke to Atiku and his party: “Nigeria is moving in the right direction. In contrast, Atiku and his party remain stuck in the past, fixated on doomsday scenarios and revolutionary rhetoric.” Importantly, the Presidency reminded the public that “many of the challenges we face today stem from the economic mismanagement during the PDP years, when Atiku was Vice President.”

President Tinubu’s leadership, the statement affirmed, is marked by “bold reforms” and relentless effort to “correct those errors.” After “just two years and five months in office, we are proud of the progress being made.” The Presidency concluded, “Atiku and his allies may choose to ignore these gains, but Nigerians can see and feel the positive changes taking place across the nation.”