Former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, reiterated his claim to victory in the 2023 presidential election, asserting that Nigerians are enduring economic hardship due to an administration that “was criminally stolen” from them.
Sharing his remarks via his verified X handle, Atiku expressed firm belief in his electoral win, stating that the present economic crisis is a consequence of the alleged rigged election that brought President Bola Tinubu to power.
Atiku wrote, “The citizens who cast their votes in the 2023 presidential election are well aware that I did not lose; rather, we find ourselves in this predicament because the election was criminally stolen from the Nigerian people.”
His comments came alongside a broader critique of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, which he described as lacking coherence and contributing to Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
Atiku contrasted his “comprehensive Recovery Plan” with the “trial-and-error nature of the policies so far implemented by this administration,” which he claims are pushing Nigeria into deeper turmoil.
“Like many fellow Nigerians, I firmly believe that we find ourselves in this current economic turmoil due to the Tinubu administration’s hasty ascent to power, devoid of a coherent plan,” Atiku noted.
He emphasized that his proposed policies were carefully designed and included input from Nigerians, aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth.
Atiku also questioned the administration’s approach to policy, citing the recent call for a national prayer by the First Lady and the National Security Adviser as the government’s primary response to economic issues.
“Isn’t it fascinating how the so-called ‘tested’ Tinubu administration’s only policy response seems to be a national prayer led by the First Lady and the NSA? Just a mere 24 hours after I proposed my alternative solutions! What a bold strategy!” he added with a hint of sarcasm.
Highlighting the economic successes achieved during his tenure as Vice President, Atiku pointed out that Nigeria’s average GDP growth rate between 1999-2003 under the Obasanjo administration reached a peak of 15% in 2002.
He contrasted these figures with the current administration’s growth rate, which he described as “a dismal 2.8%,” claiming that under Tinubu, Nigeria has fallen from being a leading African economy to “a disheartening fourth position.”
Atiku concluded by urging Nigerians to question the present administration’s high taxation strategy, which he said would only exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens.
“We cannot hope to tax our way out of the economic quagmire wrought by these misguided experimental policies of a novice administration,” he wrote, advocating instead for policies similar to those of tax-friendly economies like the UAE and Qatar.
In his closing remarks, Atiku expressed optimism that the ongoing debate on the nation’s future will ultimately benefit Nigeria and its citizens.
