By In a series of recent statements, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserted that he did not lose the 2023 election, claiming instead that it was “criminally stolen.” He also criticized President Bola Tinubu for what he termed “trial-and-error economic policies,” which he said have caused “excruciating pain” to Nigerians.
Responding on behalf of the presidency, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Abubakar’s remarks. Onanuga stated that Abubakar’s presidential bid failed in 2023 because Nigerians rejected his ideas, which he claimed “lacked details.”
After Tinubu won the election, defeating both Abubakar and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, Abubakar has continued to contest the outcome. On Monday, he reiterated that he believes the election was unjustly taken from the Nigerian people. “Those who voted know I did not lose; the election was criminally stolen,” he alleged.
Abubakar went on to lament the state of Nigeria’s economy, criticizing Tinubu’s administration for its “hasty” ascension without a “coherent plan.” He argued that, unlike Tinubu, his own team developed a detailed recovery plan with input from Nigerians.
Referring to recent government responses, Abubakar took issue with what he described as the administration’s over-reliance on national prayer sessions rather than concrete policy actions. He noted, “Prayer is valuable, but scriptures also encourage diligent labour and hard work.” Abubakar suggested that Tinubu’s team lacks a tested plan, highlighting what he described as the “trial-and-error” approach of current policies, which, he claimed, has led to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The former Vice President recalled his achievements during his time in office from 1999 to 2007, alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he said Nigeria’s economy saw considerable growth, with GDP rising from 6.59% to 15% in 2002. He compared this to Tinubu’s administration, which he criticized for a lower 2.8% growth rate, arguing that Nigeria was once Africa’s leading economy but now ranks fourth.
Abubakar emphasized that excessive taxation is not a viable solution to the country’s economic struggles, citing examples of countries like the UAE and Qatar that have fostered growth through lower taxation. “Why impose more hardship on Nigerians?” he questioned, adding, “It seems this government’s plan is more like a ‘Tea-plan,’ destined only to bring ‘T-pain.’”
