Privatisation: Atiku accuses Tinubu of hypocrisy, ‘historical amnesia’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp rebuttal against President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of hypocrisy, distortion of facts.

The response, in a statement signed on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the President’s recent comments about Atiku as a “reckless tirade” that reflects “a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia.”

According to the statement, Atiku was taken aback that a sitting president—who himself has faced longstanding scrutiny over aspects of his personal and academic history—would attempt to discredit an opponent with what the former vice president called a “well-documented record of public service.”

“Atiku Abubakar’s attention has been drawn to the latest reckless tirade by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—a performance that exposes not just desperation, but a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia,” the statement said.

A major point of contention in the exchange is Nigeria’s privatisation policy. Atiku’s camp argued that Tinubu’s criticism of past reforms collapses under scrutiny, recalling that the President had previously opposed privatisation efforts now being implemented by his administration.

The statement maintained that Atiku consistently advocated for the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and the sale of refineries to credible investors—positions it claimed Tinubu resisted in the past.

However, it alleged that the current administration is overseeing what it described as a “commercialisation in opacity,” lacking transparency, clear valuation, and accountability.

“This is not reform; it is privatisation without accountability,” the statement asserted.

In defending Mr Atiku’s legacy, the statement cited several companies as outcomes of the privatisation programme he helped supervise. These include Oando Plc (formerly Unipetrol), Conoil Plc, Ardova Plc (formerly African Petroleum), Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, Benue Cement Company, and Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

These enterprises, the statement argued, stand as enduring examples of policies that revitalised moribund state-owned assets and promoted private sector-led growth.

The statement also referenced the book The Accidental Public Servant by former minister Nasir El-Rufai, which it said documented the privatisation programme as a structured and deliberate reform effort.

In a more pointed attack, Atiku’s camp criticised Tinubu’s remarks as reflective of a failure to engage with documented history, adding controversial comments about the President’s educational background.

“It is not our fault that the President does not and cannot read,” the statement said, while also referencing past controversies surrounding Tinubu’s academic credentials, including his association with Chicago State University.

The statement argued that a proper understanding of Nigeria’s reform history would have prevented what it described as “ignorant remarks.”

“You cannot oppose reform when it demands courage and then execute a shadow version of it in power,” it added.

Beyond the war of words, the statement shifted focus to the state of the nation, painting a bleak picture of Nigeria’s current economic realities.

It highlighted rising inflation, declining purchasing power, and worsening living conditions, claiming that government policies marketed as reforms have translated into hardship for ordinary citizens.

“Families are skipping meals, businesses are shutting down, and hardworking Nigerians are watching their incomes evaporate,” the statement said, adding that insecurity and economic strain continue to erode public confidence.

The statement concluded by asserting that Atiku’s record remains “clear, documented, and defensible,” while urging the President to exercise restraint in public commentary.

“A leader who has not fully resolved questions about his own background should exercise restraint before casting aspersions on others,” it said.