by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
Abuja — The Presidency on Sunday dismissed comments attributed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in which he reportedly claimed that hunger is ravaging Nigeria and likened the situation to France before the 1789 Revolution.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described Atiku’s remarks as misleading and evidence that he and his handlers are disconnected from the realities on the ground.
“Talk is cheap. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his handlers are clearly out of touch with the positive developments currently unfolding in our country,” the statement read.
It noted that recent economic indicators show Nigeria is making progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to Onanuga, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that headline inflation had dropped for the fifth consecutive month. He added that the NBS also recorded a historic trade surplus, with non-oil exports now contributing almost equally to the trade balance alongside crude oil at a ratio of 48:52.
The statement further highlighted that Nigeria’s foreign reserves have risen to nearly $42 billion, up from $32 billion when Tinubu took office, despite the settlement of over $7 billion in arrears, including $800 million owed to airlines.
Onanuga stressed that states are now recording unprecedented revenues, enabling them to pay salaries and gratuities promptly while funding capital and social projects.
“Nigeria is moving in the right direction,” the Presidency maintained. “Atiku and his party remain fixated on doomsday predictions, ignoring the progress being achieved. Ironically, many of today’s challenges stem from the mismanagement of the PDP years when Atiku was Vice President.”
The statement concluded by affirming that after two years and five months in office, President Tinubu’s reforms are yielding results that Nigerians can see and feel.