Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reignited the debate over the 2023 presidential election, asserting that the outcome was manipulated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku’s claim comes in response to a recent jab from the Presidency following his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
In a statement released on Monday, Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, declared, “The citizens who cast their votes in the 2023 presidential election are well aware that I did not lose; rather, we find ourselves in this predicament because the election was criminally stolen from the Nigerian people.” His comment directly challenges the legitimacy of Tinubu’s presidency and the fairness of the electoral process.
The back-and-forth between the two political heavyweights escalated after Atiku highlighted the worsening economic situation in Nigeria and suggested that his administration would have taken a more effective approach if he had been elected president. Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, swiftly responded by mocking Atiku, claiming that Nigerians overwhelmingly rejected him in favor of Tinubu. Onanuga contended that Atiku’s leadership would have worsened Nigeria’s conditions, stating that Tinubu’s victory was a reflection of the people’s choice.
Atiku’s sharp rebuke did not stop at the election results. He also criticized Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, arguing that the administration’s strategies could further burden Nigerians. “We cannot hope to tax our way out of the economic quagmire wrought by these misguided experimental policies of a novice administration,” Atiku remarked.
He pointed to international examples, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Monaco, which have thrived with minimal or zero-income tax policies. “Why then are we fixated on inflicting further hardship upon an already struggling populace?” he questioned, suggesting that Tinubu’s economic plans lack depth and foresight. In a play on words, Atiku added, “One can only speculate that Tinubu’s government is anchored to a mere Tea-plan, which can only lead to a T-pain.”
The former vice president’s statement has sparked a wave of reactions across social media and political circles, reigniting discussions about the legitimacy of the 2023 election and the direction of Tinubu’s administration.
