The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has issued a call for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to exhibit greater decorum and accuracy when discussing the administration of Bola Tinubu. In a statement signed by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, the IMPI criticized Atiku’s recent public remarks as grudge-driven attempts to discredit Tinubu’s policies through misleading generalizations.
The policy document highlighted Atiku’s lack of nuanced understanding in his recent statements regarding Tinubu’s policy implementations. Specifically, it pointed out Atiku’s inquiries about the conditions surrounding the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) securing a loan from Afrexim Bank and his questioning of the directive for NNPCL to deposit crude oil receipts into the federation account. The IMPI regarded these remarks as derogatory and indicative of Atiku’s misunderstanding of corporate governance structures and decision-making processes.
The IMPI noted that Atiku’s tenure as Vice President under the Obasanjo administration faced economic challenges, with a notable rise in inflation during his first year in office. In contrast, the IMPI pointed to Tinubu’s administration, which confronted similar economic hurdles with commendable policy responses despite limited revenue generation from crude oil sales.
Moreover, the IMPI raised concerns about allegations surrounding Atiku’s involvement in securing a telecommunications license for Globacom and the diversion of funds from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to private companies during his tenure. These allegations, coupled with conflicts of interest surrounding the privatization of national assets, underscored the need for Atiku to address lingering questions about his governance record.
In conclusion, the IMPI urged Atiku to engage in more constructive discourse and address outstanding concerns regarding his past actions while in government.
