APC challenges Atiku to present alternatives to Tinubu’s economic reforms

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to present detailed alternatives to the economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said criticism of the government’s policies was not enough, urging Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to explain how he would tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges and improve the living standards of Nigerians.

Morka made the remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday while responding to criticism of the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy.

“You know, he should be telling Nigerians exactly what he plans to do to improve the lives of Nigerians,” Morka said, arguing that Atiku had yet to provide detailed policy alternatives to the measures introduced by the Tinubu administration.

Morka also defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying all major presidential candidates in the 2023 election had promised to remove it.

“All of those who ran in that election were unanimous in their promise to Nigerians to remove fuel subsidies. This president did that,” he said.

The APC spokesperson acknowledged the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians but argued that the reforms were necessary to address structural problems that had accumulated over several years.

“Our country was broke. So when you say things are hard today because we had to take some correctional measures to fix problems that have been there for decades,” he said.

Morka rejected claims that the reforms had worsened Nigeria’s economic position, insisting that the economy was now on a stronger footing than when Tinubu assumed office.

“The country, the economy is today by far better, standing on stronger footing than it did when this president came along,” he said.

He also questioned how Atiku would finance any proposal to restore or expand subsidies, arguing that promises to reduce the cost of petrol, electricity and other essential services would have financial implications and should be backed by clear funding plans.

“Any promise you make, there’s a cost to it,” Morka said.

His comments come amid continued criticism of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies by Atiku, who has called for measures to reduce the burden of rising living costs.

Morka also defended the government’s foreign exchange reforms, particularly the harmonisation of exchange rates.

He argued that the previous exchange-rate system did not accurately reflect the value of the naira, saying the decision to harmonise the rates was necessary to improve Nigeria’s economic prospects.

“When the government harmonised the exchange rates, that was necessary from an economic point of view to give Nigeria a fighting chance of economic recovery,” he said.

Morka maintained that the Tinubu administration should be assessed against the economic conditions it inherited, insisting that its reforms were improving the country’s macroeconomic position.

“The average Nigerian understands that without the policies of this government, we won’t even have a country,” he said.

He also dismissed comparisons between Atiku and Tinubu, pointing to what he described as the president’s record in office.

“Comparing Atiku Abubakar with the president who has a record, as we speak, demonstrable record of transforming the economy of this country, I think that’s a ridiculous comparison,” Morka said.