Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of “political bitterness” and “unfair” attacks on the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

In a response to Atiku’s criticism, Onanuga said the former vice president’s commentary was driven by “animosity rather than objective analysis.”

Onanuga stated this in a release he shared on X late Thursday.

“My attention has just been drawn to former vice president Atiku Abubakar’s vitriol against the Tinubu administration and the person of President Bola Tinubu,” Onanuga began.

“Atiku’s sweeping criticism is unfair and appears to be driven more by animosity than objective analysis.”

Onanuga urged Atiku to “acknowledge the significant progress and positive achievements made by this administration over the past two years”, unless he is “still living in Dubai.”

He stressed that Tinubu has shown uncommon political courage, saying: “In just two years, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has embarked on the most ambitious and audacious economic and institutional reforms ever seen in decades.”

Taking a swipe at Atiku’s campaign rhetoric, Onanuga reminded him: “During the campaign, Tinubu never promised that the reforms would be painless. But he was clear they were necessary to rescue the country from the brink of fiscal collapse to reverse years of unsustainable spending and lay a solid foundation for long-term inclusive growth.”

Onanuga highlighted Tinubu’s bold moves, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system, which, he said, “successive administrations, including that of Obasanjo-Atiku Abubakar, acknowledged as necessary but failed to implement.”

He added, “Atiku promised the reforms in his manifesto. Indeed, all three major candidates in the election agreed they must be done, except that the responsibility to implement the reforms fell on President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 election.”

Countering Atiku’s claim that Tinubu’s policies are “anti-people,” Onanuga declared: “The Tinubu administration, fully acknowledging that its policies affect the vulnerable, has increased investments in social safety nets, introduced targeted interventions for low-income households, and more than doubled the minimum wage, from N30k to N70k.”

He added: “Some states even pay up to N85k to their workers, a feat made possible by increased federal allocations.”

On education, Onanuga dismissed Atiku’s claims as “entirely off the mark,” arguing: “Everyone knows the claim is false; it’s just an attempt to throw any muck at Bola Tinubu.”

He pointed to the Student Loan Scheme, noting that “over 600,000 Nigerian students have benefitted from the loans,” which cover tuition and living expenses. Onanuga quipped: “The loans do not yet cover Nigerians in expensive schools like Atiku’s American University in Yola.”

On fiscal discipline, Onanuga refuted claims that the Tinubu administration is recklessly borrowing to fund the 2025 budget, saying: “Atiku again ignorantly accused the Tinubu administration of borrowing fresh money to support the 2025 budget. He relied on social media gossip… The Finance Minister has debunked this as untrue and said that even this year, the government only wants to borrow about $1.2 billion.”

Onanuga argued that Tinubu’s government has achieved “phenomenal” revenue growth and improved fiscal management, stating: “Revenue has increased phenomenally. The debt service ratio to revenue has declined from 93 per cent to 60 per cent. This government has paid off the $3.4 billion IMF loan obtained in the Covid years. The current administration has discontinued Ways & Means deficit financing for the first time in decades.”

He added: “State revenue has risen, and subnational governments now have greater resources for local development and to pay their debts. This is the only positive Atiku admitted, forgetting to praise the Tinubu government that made this possible.”

Addressing the challenges of reform, Onanuga stated: “This government has admitted honestly that the reforms come with attendant challenges and has worked vigorously to lessen the pain.”

He underscored the administration’s achievements, quoting Tinubu’s anniversary statement: “We have made progress. Inflation is easing, food production is rising, investments are returning, and the foundation for a more prosperous, just, and inclusive Nigeria is being laid. These gains are in plain sight for everyone. Only those who play blind will not see them.”

In a parting shot at Atiku, Onanuga said: “Atiku and his co-travellers in the coalition party he is cobbling together need not worry about their democratic rights. As an acknowledged democrat, President Tinubu will not curtail their rights or silence them.”

He concluded: “Criticism must be elevated and constructive. When Atiku opposes government policies, he should also offer a solution.

“Otherwise, his opposition statements will be dismissed as mere partisan rhetoric and cheap talk. Nigerians deserve opposition leaders who offer solutions, not just criticism.”