Atiku Slams Tinubu’s ‘Snatch and Grab’ Agenda, Urges Government to Embrace ‘Nigeria First’
Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called out President Bola Tinubu’s administration, urging it to prioritize the nation’s well-being over divisive rhetoric. Atiku lamented that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has experienced deepening class, ethnic, and religious divides, criticizing the administration for failing to strengthen democracy.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku responded to recent comments by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Public Communication, Sunday Dare. On February 2, Dare posted two remarks on his verified X account—one discussing global trade tariffs and the other criticizing political leaders advocating for a stronger democracy in Nigeria. Atiku’s team sees this as an attempt to undermine the credibility of those working for a better Nigeria.
Atiku Slams Tinubu’s ‘Snatch and Grab’ Agenda, Urges Government to Embrace ‘Nigeria First’
Atiku condemned Dare’s statement as part of the Tinubu administration’s broader “snatch and grab” approach to governance, suggesting that the government is more focused on political power than on democratic progress. He called for the Tinubu administration to adopt the “Nigeria First” ideals, which would prioritize national unity and inclusiveness over divisive tactics.
Atiku further criticized the government’s response to a recent gathering of political leaders aimed at fostering democracy, where it was dismissed as “Machiavellian inclinations.” He expressed concern that such language only serves to attack Nigeria’s hard-won democratic principles and the rights that come with them.
Atiku Condemns Tinubu Administration’s Remarks, Calls for Unity Amid Divisions
The PDP candidate also took issue with the Tinubu administration’s attempts to emulate former President Donald Trump’s “America First” trade policies, pointing out the contradictions in mocking Nigerians about patriotism. Atiku emphasized that the focus should be on strengthening Nigeria’s relationships with international partners, particularly in trade, rather than making careless remarks that could harm these vital relations.
He urged the administration to move away from self-entitled sentiments and focus on uniting the country rather than deepening the divisions that have marked this government’s tenure. According to Atiku, the current government has created a system where Nigerians are categorized based on access to essential services—further contributing to the social and economic fractures in the country.
Atiku Criticizes Tinubu’s Governance, Urges Focus on Credible Democracy and National Unity
Atiku concluded by calling on the Tinubu administration to “practice what it preaches” and focus on uniting the country. He called for a healing process, urging the government to stop making reckless remarks about other nations and instead work to rebuild a strong, unified Nigeria.
