The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, insisting that the former presidential candidate is not in a position to discredit policies that have received global recognition.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group described the Tinubu administration’s reforms as necessary measures aimed at placing Nigeria on a stable economic path.
TMSG argued that Atiku and his media handlers lacked the authority to dismiss reforms that have been endorsed by international financial institutions and global rating bodies as timely and well structured.
The group recalled that Atiku, during the early months of 2024, publicly praised the Argentine economic model under President Javier Milei and suggested it reflected the type of reforms he would have implemented in Nigeria.
According to TMSG, the current economic situation in Argentina, including its reliance on a recent $20 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has exposed the weakness of the model earlier praised by the former Vice President.
The group contrasted this with Nigeria’s position, noting that the country currently has no outstanding debt obligations to the IMF.
TMSG further cited comments attributed to the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, who reportedly described Nigeria as a global reference point for credible and consistent reform leadership under President Tinubu.
The group said it was contradictory for Atiku to now condemn policies such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, which he had openly supported during the 2023 presidential campaign.
According to the statement, several indicators already point to positive outcomes from the reforms, including improved macroeconomic stability, rising investor confidence and growth in foreign reserves, which it claimed had risen to about $50 billion within two years the highest level in over a decade.
TMSG also referenced recent IMF observations warning of short term economic difficulties arising from rising food and transportation costs amid prevailing global economic pressures.
However, it accused Atiku of attempting to politicize the temporary hardships despite acknowledging in the past that reforms would involve painful adjustments.
The group further criticized Atiku’s comments on the worsening living conditions of Nigerians, including claims that many families were withdrawing children from school because education had become unaffordable.
While acknowledging current economic challenges, TMSG maintained that the federal government was implementing intervention programmes to cushion the effects on vulnerable citizens.
It specifically highlighted the newly introduced “Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG)” under the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), designed to provide financial support and livelihood assistance to vulnerable households across the 774 local government areas of the country.
The group maintained that the Nigerian economy had begun to recover and urged Nigerians to remain confident in the Tinubu administration’s ability to deliver long term economic benefits through its reform agenda.
