The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his continued criticism of the economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the former presidential candidate was in no position to belittle policies receiving global recognition.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said the Tinubu administration’s reforms had been widely acknowledged by international financial institutions and economic experts as necessary measures to stabilise the Nigerian economy and restore investor confidence.
The group accused Atiku and his media aides of attempting to discredit reforms that have attracted commendation from global institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
TMSG recalled that Atiku had in February 2024 praised the economic reform model of Argentine President Javier Milei as a template for Nigeria, but argued that Argentina’s current economic struggles and continued dependence on IMF bailout packages had exposed flaws in that model.
According to the group, Nigeria under Tinubu had avoided similar dependence on the IMF while making progress in improving macroeconomic stability, increasing foreign reserves, and boosting confidence in key sectors of the economy.
The statement further referenced remarks credited to World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, who reportedly described Nigeria as a global reference point for credible and consistent reform implementation.
TMSG said it was contradictory for Atiku, who had supported fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification during the 2023 presidential campaign, to now criticise the same policies because of the temporary hardship associated with them.
The group also dismissed Atiku’s claim that many Nigerians were withdrawing their children from school due to economic hardship, arguing that the Federal Government had introduced social intervention programmes to cushion the effects of ongoing reforms.
It cited the newly launched Grant for Vulnerable Groups under the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) as part of efforts to provide financial support and livelihood assistance to vulnerable households across the 774 local government areas of the country.
TMSG maintained that Nigeria’s economy had begun to recover and urged citizens to remain patient and supportive of the Tinubu administration’s long-term economic agenda.
The group added that no amount of criticism from opposition figures would derail the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and improved living conditions for Nigerians.
