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.

Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has alleged that the outgoing governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, has fled Nigeria through the land borders.

Okpebholo is expected to be sworn into office on Tuesday, meaning that Obaseki will lose his immunity.

Obaseki last week said he heard that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was planning to arrest him after the expiration of his tenure as governor.

In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday and signed by his media aide, Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo said Edo people are worried by Obaseki’s reckless statements.

The governor-elect in the statement raised the alarm regarding the whereabouts of Obaseki, saying he reportedly fled Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Friday, using a disguised bus.

Edo2024: Tension in Benin as INEC postpones final collation

The statement accused Obaseki of chasing out everyone from the Government House on Friday before escaping to a yet-to-be known location more than 72 hours before his official departure from office.

The statement further accused Obaseki of making false claims to shift attention away from his alleged plan to leave the country through the land borders.

“As of Friday, 8th of November, the whereabouts of Obaseki are unknown. He has chased everyone out of Edo State Government House. He has abandoned governance in the State, and he is on the run.

“He has escaped through the road out of Benin. He did not pass through the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to escape? Instead, he hired a bus and disguised while escaping from Edo State.

“Obaseki is trying to push out these narratives in order to distract the public. His antics will not work. We know his plans, and we will continue to expose his shenanigans to Edo people,” the statement read.

Obaseki, on Saturday, claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to his inauguration slated for next Tuesday.

Okpebholo also accused Obaseki of misappropriating public funds as the state governor.

He said, “According to the unpopular outgoing governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo stole the mandate freely given to him by Edo people. In his usual myopic mind, he wants to change the narratives and set a dangerous precedence.”

The governor-elect said he won the elections convincingly and added that the tribunal will soon validate his claims. He said Obaseki would not get away with the allegations.

“Obaseki will not get away with this misrepresentation. Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-Elect of Edo State, won the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.

“Obaseki is still licking his wound of defeat and is yet to accept the reality. Edo people, through the ballot, rejected the planned continuation of Obaseki’s satanic government through his glorified stooge, Asue Ighodalo,” he said.

Okpebholo said Obaseki is trying to influence the outcome of the ongoing case at the tribunal by making false claims. He said the attempt will fail like a pack of cards.

He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party is already challenging the outcome of the election in court. We are therefore worried that Obaseki is in a hurry to pre-empt the outcome of the tribunal by repeatedly making false claims.

“Unfortunately for Obaseki, his baseless claims will not stand. The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Ighodalo, have no case against Senator Okpebholo. The tribunal will soon confirm that.”

He warned Obaseki to desist from making false claims and reminded him of severe consequences that may follow if he does not stop.

Senator Okpebholo reminded Obaseki that he will soon lose his immunity and will therefore be forced to face the full wrath of the law if he does not retrace his steps.

“Although Senator Okpebholo is a man of peace, we will not sit back and allow him to keep misrepresenting the true outcome of what happened on the 21st of September.

“Obaseki will soon lose his immunity and if he continues to make his baseless claims, he will face the full wrath of the law very soon and he will prove his unfounded allegations when he is dragged to court,” Okpebholo warned in the statement.

Politics Nigeria

The Tinubu Care and Concern (TCC) group has unveiled the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at addressing various socio-economic challenges in Nigeria. The announcement was made by the Chairman of the group, Ambassador Abubakar Bello Ali, during a press conference at the Kano NUJ Press Centre.

Ambassador Abubakar Bello Ali highlighted the introduction of a tertiary institutions student loan as one of the key policies. “This initiative is designed to provide financial support to students in tertiary institutions, ensuring that education is accessible to all,” he stated.

The Chairman also announced the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative energy source. “The adoption of CNG will not only reduce the nation’s reliance on petrol but also promote a cleaner and more sustainable environment,” Ali explained.

In addition, the TCC Chairman discussed the palliative programme introduced by President Tinubu. “The palliative programme aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by vulnerable groups, providing them with much-needed support,” he said.

Ambassador Ali further revealed the increase in the minimum wage from 30,000 to 70,000 Naira. “This significant increase in the minimum wage is a testament to the President’s commitment to improving the living standards of Nigerian workers,” he noted.

Youth empowerment was also a focal point of the press conference. “President Tinubu is dedicated to sustainable development by appointing young individuals into key positions, thereby fostering a new generation of leaders,” Ali emphasized.

The press conference concluded with a call for collective support for these policies, as they are designed to enhance the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians. “We urge all citizens to support these initiatives, as they are crucial for the nation’s progress and development,” Ambassador Abubakar Bello Ali concluded.