The Presidency has told African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to take his economic proposals to voters rather than direct President Bola Tinubu on how to govern.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, made the comments in response to Atiku’s call for immediate measures to reduce petrol prices.
Atiku, a former vice president, made the call Friday during a press conference in Abuja, arguing that the government should consider intervention to reduce fuel prices and avoid repeating the experience of petrol subsidy removal in the power sector.
Dare, in a post on X, described Atiku’s intervention as “unsolicited homework” and said the ADC candidate should focus on presenting his policies to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He also criticised Atiku for repeatedly referring to Tinubu as “Bola” during the press briefing.
Dare defended the administration’s economic reforms, saying Tinubu was pursuing structural changes to address longstanding weaknesses in the economy. He also questioned aspects of Atiku’s economic proposals and raised issues relating to the former vice president’s role in the privatisation programme under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Dare further referred to the longstanding dispute over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, saying Atiku should address questions surrounding the matter.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo also criticised Atiku’s reference to Tinubu as “Bola,” saying it was disrespectful to the office of the president.
The exchange follows Atiku’s renewed criticism of the government’s handling of fuel prices and broader economic policy as political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
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