Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to President Bola Tinubu‘s criticisms on his part in Nigeria’s privatisation plan.
Tinubu criticised Abubakar on Thursday, accusing him of wanting to privatise the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tinubu said Abubakar’s previous involvement in Nigeria’s privatisation initiative was unsuccessful.
The ex-vice president’s response was contained in a statement published by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant for public information.
Tinubu’s remarks were criticised by Shaibu as a “reckless tirade” that reflected “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 that Tinubu’s critique of privatisation contradicts his present policy.
He stated that Abubakar has long campaigned for the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the selling of refineries to private investors.
Shaibu claims that the present administration is following similar practices without transparency.
“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 Abubakar’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.
