The Presidency has rebuked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for warning that hunger could spark unrest similar to the French or Russian revolutions.
War of Words Over Hunger
Atiku, who lost the 2023 election to Bola Tinubu, argued that rising hardship could ignite mass anger. Drawing parallels to the French Revolution of 1789 and the Bolshevik uprising of 1917, he said Nigeria risked following the same path if economic distress worsens.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga rejected the warning, calling it “cheap talk” disconnected from realities on the ground.
Government Points to Positive Indicators
According to the Presidency, Nigeria’s economy is on firmer footing. Onanuga said headline inflation has declined for five consecutive months, while foreign reserves rose to nearly $42bn, up from $32bn when Tinubu assumed office.
He added that states now have enough resources to pay salaries and gratuities promptly, while still funding capital projects — an achievement he described as “unprecedented.”
The government also noted a record trade surplus, with non-oil exports reaching almost parity with crude oil.
Opposition Stands Its Ground
The presidency accused Atiku and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party of ignoring progress while clinging to “doomsday scenarios.” It argued that today’s challenges stem partly from economic mismanagement during Atiku’s years as vice president.
Critics, however, counter that Tinubu’s reforms — subsidy removal and exchange rate unification — have worsened hardship. Food inflation remains high, with poverty still widespread despite macroeconomic gains.
What Lies Ahead
With Tinubu now two years and five months in office, officials maintain that reforms are stabilising finances and attracting investment. For Atiku, the confrontation signals a sharpening battle ahead of 2027.
The clash highlights the widening gulf between official data and public perception, setting the stage for a fierce political contest over Nigeria’s economic direction.
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