In a scathing critique, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has once again taken aim at President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, branding them as “shambolic ‘bolekaja’ policies.”
In a fiery statement posted on his X handle, Atiku questioned the effectiveness and coherence of Tinubu’s approach, contrasting it with his own proposed “Recovery Plan” for the nation.
Atiku’s remarks come in response to recent comments from the presidency, where Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, dismissed the former vice president’s economic suggestions as “untested” and “simplistic.”
Onanuga argued that Atiku’s critiques lacked practical depth, asserting that the administration’s actions, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the realignment of foreign exchange, were necessary steps to dismantle Nigeria’s entrenched economic challenges.
In his retort, Atiku stated that Nigerians are suffering from the administration’s “trial-and-error” policies and accused Tinubu’s government of lacking a clear plan.
“It is therefore uncharitable for Tinubu’s team to claim that my proposals remain untested. What remains unproven is the erratic, trial-and-error nature of the policies so far implemented by this administration,” Atiku argued.
He labeled the current policies as “shambolic ‘bolekaja’ economic policy prescriptions” that fail to address the urgent needs of Nigerians.
In a sardonic tone, Atiku questioned the administration’s reliance on a national prayer session led by the First Lady and National Security Adviser (NSA) as a policy response, remarking, “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!”
Atiku also pointed to the economic growth experienced under past administrations, including the Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan governments, contrasting these achievements with what he described as the Tinubu administration’s “dismal” 2.8% GDP growth rate.
“The average GDP rate under the Obasanjo administration that I served in was 6.59% and peaked at 15% in 2002; 7.98% under the late Yar’Adua administration and 4.8% under Jonathan,” he said. “Enough of the pains of the shambolic ‘bolekaja’ economic policy prescriptions!”
Beyond the economic critique, Atiku stressed that further tax burdens on struggling Nigerians are not the answer.
He highlighted successful examples of low-tax economies, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Monaco, that have spurred growth without heavy taxation.
“We cannot hope to tax our way out of the economic quagmire wrought by these misguided experimental policies of a novice administration,” he argued, urging for a fiscal approach that fosters growth without imposing additional hardship.
In concluding his statement, Atiku maintained his claim that the 2023 election was unjustly won by Tinubu, asserting that Nigeria’s economic challenges stem from a “hasty ascent to power, devoid of a coherent plan.”
This latest exchange reflects a deepening divide between the two political figures and underscores Atiku’s resolve to challenge Tinubu’s leadership amid Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges.