Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of hypocrisy, distortion of historical facts, and what his camp described as “intellectual dishonesty” in the ongoing exchange over Nigeria’s economic direction.

In a statement issued on Friday through his media aide, Atiku’s camp dismissed the President’s remarks as a “reckless tirade,” insisting that Tinubu misrepresented key facts about past economic reforms and their outcomes.

Atiku’s team defended the privatisation programme, arguing that it helped reposition several state-owned enterprises and attracted private sector investment into strategic sectors of the economy.

It cited assets such as Oando, Conoil, Transcorp Hilton, and Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals as examples of enterprises that benefited from the reforms.

The statement also accused the Tinubu administration of failing to apply similar standards of accountability in its current economic restructuring policies, particularly in the oil and gas sector, where it alleged that reforms have not translated into meaningful relief for Nigerians.

Atiku’s camp further criticised the tone of the President’s remarks, arguing that national economic debates should focus on policies and outcomes rather than personal attacks. Beyond the political exchange, the former Vice President also highlighted worsening economic conditions in the country, pointing to rising inflation, high cost of living, and declining purchasing power among citizens.

It described the situation as evidence of “reform without relief,” noting that many households are struggling with food and transportation costs. Nigeria continues to grapple with economic pressure amid ongoing reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate adjustments, and efforts to stabilize public finances.

However, these measures have also contributed to increased living costs across the country. The latest war of words adds to growing political tension between both camps, as opposition figures intensify scrutiny of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies ahead of future political contests.