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Tinubu’s Adviser Criticizes Atiku Abubakar’s Post-Election Conduct

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Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown more interest in undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than in addressing his party’s implosion, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Onanuga suggested that Atiku is envious of Tinubu’s position, an office he has unsuccessfully sought six times.

“It is perplexing that he would elevate his untested, hypothetical proposal, which Nigerians soundly rejected during the 2023 Presidential Election, and seek to present it as a superior alternative to the multi-faceted reform programmes implemented by the Tinubu administration,” Onanuga stated.

He added that Atiku must acknowledge that merely repackaging his plan will not resolve the social and economic challenges left by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after 16 years in power.

Onanuga criticized Atiku’s economic analysis, describing it as a significant misunderstanding of Nigeria’s realities. “His narrative, ‘What We Would Have Done Differently,’ indicates an inability to engage with the pressing economic realities being revitalized under President Tinubu’s leadership,” he said.

Onanuga questioned the reforms Atiku would propose at the onset of his hypothetical presidency. “While he suggests a consultation period upon assuming office, the reality is that the Nigerian economy requires immediate and decisive action. A leader must be prepared to tackle challenges from Day One, as President Tinubu has done,” he emphasized.

Atiku’s accusation that President Tinubu “stole his presidency” exposed his sense of entitlement and disconnect from the electorate, Onanuga argued. “The truth is that Tinubu rightfully won the presidency, a position Atiku was simply unqualified for due to his arrogance, insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity, and the decision to disregard his party’s power rotation arrangement,” he added.

Onanuga highlighted the urgent need for action in the Nigerian economy, which was in dire need of immediate intervention. “The Tinubu administration came prepared with a firm action plan to address the shortcomings that persisted during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s time when Atiku was vice president,” he noted.

Speculating on the potential impact of Atiku’s proposed lengthy town hall and Village Square meetings, Onanuga suggested that such an approach would have been detrimental to Nigeria’s economy. “The country needed a proactive leader such as Tinubu, who immediately set to work on addressing economic challenges,” he said.

Onanuga dismissed Atiku’s critiques of Tinubu’s presidency as harebrained propositions devoid of realistic alternatives. He pointed out the decades of mismanaged economy inherited by the current administration, including exorbitant subsidy expenditures. “As of mid-2023, the landing cost of fuel was between N500 and N600, while it was sold nationwide at an average of N200,” he explained.

Onanuga emphasized the importance of engaging with urgent realities rather than conjuring imaginary scenarios. “The estimated N5.4 trillion savings from subsidy removal in 2024 are being actively directed toward infrastructure development and social intervention programmes,” he stated.

He also highlighted the significant increase in revenue generation under the Tinubu administration. “Without factoring in oil sales, revenue proceeds generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service almost doubled in the first half of 2024,” Onanuga noted.

Atiku’s proposal to privatize the four government-owned refineries was criticized for lacking originality. “In 2007, investors were only willing to offer $160 million for 51% equity in the Port Harcourt Refinery,” Onanuga recalled.

Onanuga accused Atiku of overseeing the sale of the nation’s assets to private individuals and cronies at low prices during his tenure as vice president. “Today, most public enterprises Atiku sold have been stripped and become dead assets,” he said.

He praised the Tinubu administration’s approach to revitalizing refineries while supporting modular refineries and the Dangote Refinery. “This approach will guarantee domestic production and stabilize retail prices by reducing foreign exchange challenges,” Onanuga explained.

Regarding Atiku’s allegations of corruption within the NNPC, Onanuga argued that the fuel subsidy had historically been the leading corruption enabler. “President Tinubu’s removal of this subsidy eliminated the most significant incentive for corruption within the NNPC,” he stated.

Onanuga criticized Atiku’s suggestion of phased-out subsidy removal as an outdated approach. “Rather than pushing for unrealistic timelines, Atiku should recognize the necessity of President Tinubu’s bold reforms,” he said.

He urges Atiku to abandon his politics of distraction and focus on constructive discourse. “President Tinubu remains focused on leading Nigeria toward a prosperous future and addressing our nation’s real challenges,” Onanuga affirmed.

 

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Kano State Hosts 8th Annual Audit Forum to Enhance Transparency and Accountability

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The 8th Annual Audit Forum, organized by the Office of the Auditor General of Kano State, was held recently, focusing on strengthening transparency and accountability in public financial management. .

Isma’ila Musa, the Auditor General of Kano State, welcomed the participants and highlighted the constitutional and legal mandates that guide the auditing process. “Sections 125(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and 36(i) of the Kano State Audit Law, 2021 (as amended) mandate the Office of the Auditor General to audit the accounts and financial statements of the State Government and all Offices and Courts,” he stated.

Musa expressed immense gratitude to His Excellency, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State, for his support in making the event possible. “It is very important to note that a strengthened fiscal transparency will help build trust in governance,” he emphasized. He added that the Audit Forum is a reform intended to reduce opportunities for corruption and abuse of public resources, thereby increasing the efficiency of public expenditures.

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The Auditor General also acknowledged the contributions of various officials, including the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Planning and Budget, the Accountant General, the Executive Chairman of Kano Internal Revenue Services, and former Auditors General, among others. “My sincere appreciation to all the invitees here present for honoring our invitation. I wish us a successful 8th Kano State Annual Audit Forum,” Musa concluded.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Honorable Tukur Fagge, praised the exercise for its potential to enhance resource management and ensure the success of the tasks at hand. “This exercise will enhance resources management and will realize the success of the task,” Fagge stated.

Sarkin Shanon Kano, Shehu Muhammad Dankadai, who served as the royal father of the day, also graced the event, adding to the significance of the occasion.

The forum underscored the commitment of the Kano State Government to upholding transparency and accountability, reflecting the administration’s dedication to effective and efficient service delivery.

 

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Breaking: Former Secretary of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Ahmadu Kurfi Passes On at 93

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Late Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi

 

A former secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, has passed away.

A family source, Jafar Yakubu, informed NIGERIAN TRACKER about the death of the pioneer secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, who supervised the 1979 general election.

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Jafar Yakubu said Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi died at the age of 93 and his Janaza funeral prayers will take place by 2:30 PM at Kurfi in KATSINA state .

 

Dr. Amadu Kurfi, OFR, was born in 1931. He was a former chairman of the then Marketing Board, former Federal Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, and the first person to acquire a BSc degree in the whole of Katsina State, at University College London in 1957.

 

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President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar

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The governing council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has been dissolved by President Bola Tinubu.

The president dissolved the council and approved the removal of the institution’s vice-chancellor Bernard Odoh and the university registrar, Rosemary Nwokike.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy said the action by Tinubu follows allegations of procedural violations in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.

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He also said that the council led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and including five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin was accused of bypassing due process to appoint an unqualified candidate, prompting federal intervention.

Onanuga said, “The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.

He added that following the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address the rivalry between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the institution.

“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process”, Onanuga added.

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