Tinubu’s Reforms Too Sound for Atiku to Rubbish — TMSG

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is not in a position to discredit the ongoing economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the policies have received broad international approval and are already yielding measurable gains for Nigeria.

The group said the reforms, which have been widely described by global financial institutions as necessary for long-term stability, cannot be dismissed on the basis of political criticism from opposition figures.

In a statement issued by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group argued that Atiku and his media handlers “do not know better than global ratings entities” that have continued to endorse Nigeria’s reform direction.

It said recent economic commentary from international institutions showed that Nigeria’s policy direction under Tinubu was being closely studied and referenced globally as a model of reform implementation.

The statement accused the former Vice President of attempting to undermine policies he once publicly supported during the 2023 presidential campaign.

“We are not totally surprised that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in his hurried bid to gain political traction, has continued to dish out statements to rubbish the high-value economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration,” the group said.

TMSG recalled that Atiku had previously cited Argentina’s economic reforms under President Javier Milei as a model for Nigeria, describing it as a blueprint similar to his own economic plans at the time.

It noted that recent developments in Argentina, including rising economic instability and continued reliance on external borrowing, contradicted that position.

The group argued that Nigeria, unlike Argentina, had avoided new obligations to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), describing it as a sign of improved fiscal discipline.

It also referenced statements attributed to the World Bank, which reportedly described Nigeria’s reform programme as a “frequent global reference point” for policy design and implementation.

According to the group, a World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, had commended Nigeria’s reform consistency, describing it as a credible leadership model being studied internationally.

TMSG further maintained that such endorsements undermine opposition claims that the reforms lack direction or are worsening economic conditions.

“We make bold to say that Atiku does not know better than reputable non-partisan experts and global entities which have affirmed that the reforms have yielded positive results in restoring macroeconomic stability and boosting investor confidence,” the statement added.

It further claimed that foreign reserves had improved significantly under the current administration, describing the figure as reaching about $50 billion within two years, the highest in over a decade.

On inflation and cost-of-living concerns, the group acknowledged that Nigerians are facing economic pressures but said such challenges are part of broader global economic shocks affecting both developing and advanced economies.

It also cited IMF warnings about global inflationary pressures, arguing that Nigeria’s situation should not be isolated from international economic realities.

TMSG criticised Atiku’s recent remarks suggesting that Nigerians are withdrawing children from school due to economic hardship, describing the claim as exaggerated and politically motivated.

The group also accused the former Vice President of inconsistency, noting that he had previously supported reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, policies now being implemented under the current administration.

“It beggars belief that an Atiku Abubakar who was very vocal during the 2023 campaign about the need for reforms is now demonising the same policies,” it said.

The statement further suggested that Atiku’s criticism was driven by repeated electoral ambitions, alleging that he was attempting to discredit the administration for political advantage.

TMSG also highlighted recent federal government interventions, including the launch of the Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) under the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), designed to support low-income households across the country.

It said the initiative was part of efforts to cushion the effects of economic reforms on vulnerable Nigerians.

Reaffirming its position, the group insisted that the Nigerian economy had “turned the corner” and that the worst economic pressures were gradually easing.

It urged Nigerians to remain patient with the administration, expressing confidence that ongoing reforms would deliver long-term benefits.

“No amount of jaundiced posturing by the former Vice President and his political allies will stop Nigeria from reaching its desired destination of shared prosperity,” the statement added.