The Presidency has rejected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s warning that hunger could spark a revolution in Nigeria, calling his comments “cheap talk” and out of touch with reality.
Atiku, who lost to President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, said worsening hardship could lead to mass anger similar to the French Revolution of 1789 or Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.
But in a statement on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, insisted that Nigeria was making progress under Tinubu’s leadership.
“Their latest statement demonstrates a disconnect from the authentic Nigerian reality,” Onanuga said.
He pointed to data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing that headline inflation had declined for the fifth consecutive month in August. He also said Nigeria posted a record trade surplus, with non-oil exports nearly matching crude oil at a 48:52 ratio.
According to him, foreign reserves have risen to nearly $42 billion, up from $32 billion when Tinubu assumed office, after the government cleared over $7 billion in arrears, including $800 million owed to foreign airlines.
“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. Nigeria is moving in the right direction,” the statement read.
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The Presidency also accused Atiku and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of ignoring recent gains while fueling fear.
“In contrast, Atiku and his party remain stuck in the past, fixated on doomsday scenarios and revolutionary rhetoric. Ironically, many of the challenges we face today stem from the economic mismanagement during the PDP years, when Atiku was Vice President,” Onanuga said.
Tinubu, who has spent two years and five months in office, has introduced major economic reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate unification. Officials say these policies are stabilising state finances and attracting investment, though critics argue they have worsened hardship, with food inflation still high and poverty widespread.
Despite the criticism, Onanuga maintained that progress is visible.
“We are proud of the progress being made under President Tinubu’s leadership. Atiku and his allies may choose to ignore these gains, but Nigerians can see and feel the positive changes taking place across the nation,” he said.