You Know Nothing About Economics – Presidency Hits Back At Atiku

The Presidency has questioned the economic knowledge of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, following his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

It argued that the former vice-president’s plan could set Nigeria back by more than 20 years.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, criticised Atiku in a post on his verified X handle on Monday.

He cited Atiku’s background as a sanitary inspector before joining the Nigerian Customs Service.

Onanuga’s remarks followed Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s criticism of Atiku’s economic proposal at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, where he questioned the ADC candidate’s ability to manage a modern economy.

“One of the leading presidential candidates (Atiku) is advocating a return to the subsidy scheme. He wants us to backslide into primitivity for political convenience,” Shettima said.

The vice-president also referred to Atiku’s training at the Kano School of Hygiene, arguing that his background did not equip him with the skills required to govern a modern economy.

Backing Shettima’s position, Onanuga wrote: “Atiku Abubakar’s only qualification before joining the Nigerian Customs was as a sanitary inspector.

“You wonder what he knows about economics, given that he now advocates a regressive subsidy policy that will set our country back by over 20 years.”

The Presidency maintained that the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms were working and criticised Atiku’s proposed return to petrol subsidy.

However, the ADC presidential campaign council rejected the remarks, accusing Shettima of ridiculing Atiku’s educational background instead of addressing the substance of his economic proposal.

Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said in a statement on Monday that Atiku had nothing to be ashamed of regarding his education.

“What, exactly, is shameful about Atiku’s education? He completed secondary school, pursued further training and built a life through work. Millions of Nigerians have travelled the same road,” Shaibu said.

He argued that Shettima’s comments amounted to an attack on Nigerians who had pursued education through the opportunities available to them.

Shaibu also challenged the vice-president to address questions surrounding Tinubu’s educational records, alleging discrepancies in documents relating to the president’s education and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

He further referenced litigation in the United States concerning Tinubu’s Chicago State University records and a historical forfeiture involving the president in Chicago.

The ADC spokesman argued that such issues should be addressed rather than using Atiku’s educational background to discredit his economic proposals.

Turning to the economic situation, Shaibu cited poverty and food insecurity as evidence of the hardship facing Nigerians under the current administration.

He referenced World Bank estimates on poverty in Nigeria and figures on acute food insecurity, arguing that millions of households were struggling to meet their basic needs.

Shaibu also defended Atiku’s proposed subsidy policy, describing it as a targeted, capped and independently audited arrangement tied to petrol refined in Nigeria.

“If Shettima thinks it cannot be funded, he should show his figures and offer a better way to lower prices. Insulting Atiku will not fill a cooking pot, pay a bus fare or put fuel in a tank,” he said.

The ADC spokesman accused the Tinubu administration of being disconnected from the economic realities facing ordinary Nigerians and argued that voters would have an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction in the 2027 general election.