Atiku Criticizes Tinubu’s Policies and Suggests Six Steps for Improvement

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized President Bola Tinubu's policies, claiming they have impoverished the poor and bankrupted the rich. As President Tinubu marks his first year in office, Atiku highlighted several areas where he believes the administration has failed and offered six steps for improvement.

In a statement on Tuesday, Atiku reviewed the past year, accusing the All Progressives Congress-led government of lacking a clear economic plan and instead implementing a mix of uncoordinated policies. He noted that President Tinubu's actions, such as eliminating PMS subsidies and introducing new foreign exchange policies, have worsened Nigeria's economic stability.

Atiku proposed six steps for President Tinubu to consider:
1. Pause and Reflect: The President should take a moment to assess the current situation and rethink his approach.
2. Review the 2024 Budget: Undertake a comprehensive review of the upcoming budget within the framework of new reforms.
3. Revise the Social Investment Programme (SIP): The SIP should be overhauled to better support the most vulnerable households and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) across all economic sectors.
4. Avoid New Taxes: Refrain from introducing new taxes or increasing tax rates, as this would further burden the poor.
5. Clarify the Fuel Subsidy Regime: Provide clear information on the fiscal commitments and benefits from the fuel subsidy reform and its impact on the Federation Accounts.
6. Address Security Issues: Tackle insecurity head-on to improve agricultural production and economic stability, particularly in the northern regions of the country.

Atiku lamented that despite Tinubu's promises of economic growth, the administration has failed to deliver, with inflation and food prices reaching record highs. He argued that the government's policies have created a hostile environment for businesses, leading to the departure of several multinational companies and significant job losses.

Atiku warned against the administration's attempts to increase taxes, stating that the focus should instead be on rationalizing expenditure, improving revenue utilization, and reducing the cost of governance. He emphasized the need for a holistic approach to support medium and large-scale enterprises and called for immediate measures to ease food import restrictions to address rising commodity prices.

In conclusion, Atiku stressed the importance of addressing insecurity to enhance agricultural production and mitigate food shortages, highlighting the dire situation faced by millions of Nigerians. He urged President Tinubu to adopt a more compassionate approach and implement well-thought-out policies to create prosperity and alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian people.