The Nigerian Presidency has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of prioritizing attacks on President Bola Tinubu over resolving issues within his own People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, issued a statement on Sunday, criticizing Atiku’s ongoing claims of election irregularities in the 2023 presidential race and questioning his adherence to the PDP’s zoning principles.

Onanuga described Atiku’s criticism of Tinubu’s administration as “envy,” noting that Nigerian voters rejected Atiku’s platform, which he claimed lacked popular support. According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s economic reforms are effectively addressing the country’s pressing challenges, while Atiku’s recent critique, titled What We Would Have Done Differently, underscores his alleged disconnect from Nigeria’s current needs.

Atiku’s remarks on fuel subsidies also drew rebuttal, with Onanuga stating that the N5.4 trillion saved from subsidy removal in 2024 has been redirected into infrastructure and social intervention programs aimed at improving citizens’ lives. This, he noted, has enabled some states to raise their minimum wage to N70,000–N85,000.

Addressing Atiku’s privatization stance, Onanuga argued that Atiku’s approach yielded minimal returns in the past. He contrasted this with Tinubu’s current model of public-private partnerships, emphasizing it as a more sustainable and practical solution for Nigeria’s economic progress.