The Presidency has responded strongly to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s comments on the state of the nation, dismissing his claims of widespread hunger and looming unrest as “misleading” and “out of touch” with reality.

Atiku’s Comments

Atiku had compared Nigeria’s current situation to the unrest that preceded the 1789 French Revolution and the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, warning of a potential revolution due to hunger and economic hardship.

Presidency’s Response

However, the Presidency, through Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, has pushed back against Atiku’s claims, citing recent data that shows positive progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to Onanuga, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a decline in headline inflation for the fifth consecutive month in August, a record trade surplus, and a significant increase in foreign exchange reserves.

Economic Achievements

The Presidency highlighted several economic achievements, including:

– A record trade surplus
– Foreign exchange reserves rising to nearly $42 billion, up from $32 billion when Tinubu assumed office
– Arrears of over $7 billion, including $800 million owed to airlines, cleared
– States now able to pay salaries and gratuities promptly, with funds left for capital and social projects

Rebutting Atiku’s Claims

Onanuga said, “After just two years and five months in office, 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.”

Accusations Against PDP

The Presidency also accused Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being fixated on “doomsday scenarios and revolutionary rhetoric,” adding that many challenges facing the country stemmed from economic mismanagement during the PDP years.