Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over President Bola Tinubu’s economic approach, which he describes as a “trial-and-error” policy that has left many Nigerians struggling.
Atiku argues that the administration’s reliance on taxation to revive the economy is misguided, urging Tinubu and his team to acknowledge their missteps and consider alternative strategies. 
“We cannot hope to tax our way out of the economic quagmire wrought by these misguided experimental policies.”
Atiku stated, suggesting that lower taxation models, like those in the UAE and Monaco, could stimulate growth without adding to citizens’ burdens.
In response to statements from the Presidency claiming that an Atiku administration might have fared worse, Atiku highlighted what he sees as a disparity between Tinubu’s current policies and the “comprehensive recovery plan” he and his team had prepared, which, according to him, was inclusive of citizen input.
He criticized the government’s recent reliance on prayer, led by the First Lady, as a substitute for concrete economic actions.
“Isn’t it fascinating,” Atiku remarked, “how the so-called ‘tested’ Tinubu administration’s only policy response seems to be a national prayer led by the First Lady… mere 24 hours after I proposed my alternative solutions!”
Atiku further compared the economic performance of the Tinubu administration with prior governments, noting that Nigeria’s GDP growth under former President Obasanjo, whom he served as Vice President, reached an average of 6.59%. In contrast, he labeled Tinubu’s economic approach as a “shambolic ‘bolekaja’ economic policy.”
With economic hardships escalating, Atiku’s statements echo the concerns of many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet, and he reiterated his commitment to championing policies that prioritize citizens’ welfare.
