Atiku fires back at Tinubu over privatisation criticism, says President lacks education

The long-running political tension between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu escalated on Friday after Atiku issued a strongly worded response to Tinubu’s recent comments on Nigeria’s privatisation programme.

Atiku, in a statement released through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, described the President’s remarks as “reckless” and based on what he called a misunderstanding of the country’s economic reform history.

The exchange began on Thursday when President Tinubu, speaking at a meeting of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja, questioned the effectiveness of past privatisation efforts overseen by Atiku during his tenure as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation under the Obasanjo administration.

Tinubu specifically referenced the steel sector, asking why key assets such as Ajaokuta Steel Company had not delivered expected results despite being privatised.

“They privatised the steel industry in Delta; is it working today? They privatised Ajaokuta; is it working today?” the President asked, adding that the reforms had failed to achieve their intended outcomes.

Responding, Atiku pushed back, accusing the President of ignoring documented records on the privatisation process and its objectives.

In the statement, he said Tinubu’s comments reflected “historical amnesia” and a lack of understanding of the reforms, insisting that the exercise was designed to improve efficiency and promote private sector participation in key sectors of the economy.

Atiku’s camp also took aim at the President personally, alleging inconsistencies in his public narrative and questioning his understanding of governance issues.

The statement further referenced published accounts of the privatisation programme, arguing that credible documentation exists to support its implementation and outcomes.

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

The latest exchange underscores growing political friction between both camps, with renewed debate over past economic reforms and Nigeria’s current development trajectory.