Atiku Abubakar has issued a forceful response to President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of hypocrisy, historical distortion, and political desperation, in a statement that also included the pointed remark that “it is not my fault that you can’t read.”
The rebuttal, released in Abuja on Friday through Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, rejected Tinubu’s recent comments as what it described as a “reckless tirade” driven by misinformation and “historical amnesia.”
According to the statement, Atiku’s team said Nigeria’s reform history is well documented, including in The Accidental Public Servant by Nasir El Rufai, which they argued provides clearer context on past policy decisions.
“It is not our fault that the President does not and can not read,” the statement said, while accusing Tinubu of misrepresenting established facts about Nigeria’s economic reforms.
The former vice president also expressed concern over what he described as contradictions in Tinubu’s position on privatisation, arguing that policies the president once opposed are now being implemented under his administration.
Atiku’s camp maintained that he had consistently supported privatisation of key national assets, including the NNPC and state refineries, and cited previous transactions involving firms such as Oando, Conoil, Ardova, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, and Transcorp Hilton as examples of reform outcomes.
It further criticised the current administration’s approach, describing ongoing economic reforms as lacking transparency and accountability.
“This is not reform; it is privatisation without accountability,” the statement said, alleging poor valuation processes and weak oversight.
The statement also challenged the tone of the president’s remarks, arguing that they reflected a preference for personal attacks over substantive debate on policy and governance.
On the broader economic situation, Atiku’s camp pointed to worsening inflation, declining purchasing power, and rising hardship across the country, arguing that citizens are bearing the cost of poorly executed reforms.
The statement concluded that Atiku’s record in public service remains “clear and well documented,” while urging the president to exercise restraint in public commentary, adding that Nigerians are closely watching developments.
