Atiku Rejects Tinubu Economic Scorecard, Cites Unpaid Wage Promises

Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Tinubu administration’s latest defence of its economic record, saying Nigerians are judging the government by hardship, unpaid wage promises and rising public debt rather than official presentations.

The former vice president, now the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, responded to comments by Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, on debt, subsidy removal, debt servicing and workers’ welfare.

Vanguard and Daily Trust reported that Atiku’s media aide, Phrank Shaibu, issued the statement on Sunday. Atiku argued that the Federal Government had not fully implemented the new minimum wage, the 40 per cent peculiar allowance tied to the wage adjustment, or the promised wage award.

He also challenged the government’s claim that subsidy savings were being used to reduce liabilities. The reports said Atiku cited Central Bank of Nigeria figures showing Federal Government exposure to the apex bank rising from about N26.9tn in May 2023 to more than N40.38tn.

Daily Trust reported that Atiku said government should not be judged by PowerPoint presentations or television interviews, but by the quality of life of citizens. Vanguard reported his argument that subsidy savings were also being presented as the source of funding for NELFUND, despite earlier statements about recovered EFCC funds.

The reports did not include a fresh reply from Oyedele or the Presidency to Atiku’s latest criticism.

Sources: Vanguard, Daily Trust