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Atiku Criticizes Tinubu’s Policies And Says Rising Costs Are Hurting Nigerians

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Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, claiming they are placing significant strain on Nigerians.

Atiku’s statement was issued through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

On Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, a spokesperson for Tinubu, accused Atiku of harboring envy following his election loss.

Shaibu responded, dismissing Onanuga’s comments as baseless, emphasizing that Atiku is far from jealous of Tinubu’s policies, which he claims are only worsening life for Nigerians.

In a strong statement, Shaibu said, “Atiku jealous of Tinubu inflicting pain on Nigerians? Hell no.

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Wickedness is an exclusive preserve of T-Pain.”

Atiku mentioned the government’s failure to implement its own economic promises.

He cited Tinubu’s July 8, 2024 announcement, where the President pledged a 150-day suspension on import duties for essential items like food.

However, more than 120 days later, Atiku pointed out that the policy has yet to be executed, even as Nigerians grapple with skyrocketing prices.

Food inflation, which now stands at over 40%, is one of the highest seen in decades, worsening living conditions and putting essential goods out of reach for many.

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He further criticized Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a “brazen disregard” for its own policies, particularly the finance ministry’s delay in formalizing the import duty waiver through an official gazette.

This delay, Atiku argues, shows the incompetence and disorganization in Tinubu’s government.

He added that rather than focus on much-needed governance, the administration is more interested in verbally attacking political opponents like himself and Peter Obi.

He claimed that the administration is even using questionable court actions to create disarray in the opposition.

Atiku also questioned Tinubu’s preparedness for office, calling his administration a series of “policy flip-flops” that have harmed rather than helped Nigerians.

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One of his biggest criticisms was Tinubu’s abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy, which Atiku said was done without planning for any support measures to ease the transition for Nigerians.

He noted that the President’s compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative, intended as an alternative, has so far stalled due to inadequate gas infrastructure across most states.

And this is leading to rising transportation costs that further increase food prices.

Atiku also questioned Tinubu’s economic planning in light of his mid-term expenditure framework, which projects an exchange rate of N700 to $1 by 2024 and N650 to $1 by 2025.

Atiku urged Tinubu to dismiss his economic advisers, whom he accused of unrealistic planning and deceiving Nigerians by promoting a foreign exchange reserve of $40 billion, when the net reserve is allegedly much less.

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Diezani Alison-Madueke Seeks Court Approval to Amend Lawsuit Against EFCC Asset Forfeiture

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Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has filed a motion to amend her lawsuit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) order for the final forfeiture of her seized assets.

At a Federal High Court hearing in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, Alison-Madueke’s counsel confirmed filing the amendment motion and serving the EFCC. Notably, no EFCC representatives appeared in court.

The embattled ex-minister also sought an extension of time to contest the EFCC’s public notice regarding the sale of her confiscated properties, claiming she was denied a fair hearing during the forfeiture proceedings.

The EFCC, however, rejected Alison-Madueke’s allegations, maintaining that the forfeiture cases were lawfully adjudicated over time.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, to consider the motion to amend the originating process.

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Tron Founder Justin Sun Buys $6.2M Banana Artwork, Plans to Eat It

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Justin Sun, the founder of blockchain platform Tron, has purchased Comedian, a conceptual artwork by Maurizio Cattelan featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.

Initially valued at $1–$1.5 million, the sale exceeded expectations, drawing bids from seven contenders. Originally priced at $120,000 during its 2019 debut at Art Basel Miami Beach, Comedian has sparked global debates about the absurdities of contemporary art.

 

Sun views the purchase as a cultural statement rather than a simple acquisition. “This bridges art, memes, and cryptocurrency,” he said, revealing plans to eat the banana as part of the artwork’s experiential essence.

Known for challenging societal norms, Cattelan’s works often provoke controversy. Buyers of Comedian receive instructions to replace the banana due to its perishability.

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Sun’s acquisition highlights his growing involvement in art and tech intersections, following his $78.4 million purchase of Alberto Giacometti’s Le Nez. While celebrated as an entrepreneur, Sun has also faced legal challenges, including allegations of cryptocurrency manipulation.

The $6.2 million banana reinforces the unpredictable relationship between art, commerce, and culture, embodying modern art’s power to provoke and perplex.


 

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Peter Obi Donates ₦20 Million to Mary Agro Farms for Food Security

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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, recently took to his social media handle to share his visit to Mary Agro Farms, located in Omughu, Obeleagu-Umana, in the Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

After attending the Peaceland University conference in Enugu, Obi traveled to the farm to witness firsthand the progress of one of the nation’s promising agricultural initiatives.

In his post, Obi reflected on his previous visit to the farm’s pilot scheme in Udi over two years ago, during which he offered his support.

Yesterday’s visit to the farm’s permanent site, however, left him astounded by the remarkable transformation that had taken place.

The expansion of Mary Agro Farms is a testament to the hard work and resilience of its management and staff.

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Obi praised the farm for its significant progress, noting that the scale of operations had grown considerably, demonstrating the immense potential of innovative farming practices to boost food security in Nigeria.

As part of his commitment to supporting productive ventures, Obi made a generous donation of ₦20 million to Mary Agro Farms.

He expressed his hope that the farm would continue to stay innovative and productive, especially during a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe hunger, food scarcity, and inflation.

The visit came at a time when global organizations have raised alarm over the worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria.

The United Nations recently issued a stark warning, indicating that at least 33 million Nigerians could face a major hunger crisis by 2025 unless urgent measures are taken.

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In addition, a report by Save the Children International highlighted that 5.4 million Nigerian children are at risk of acute malnutrition within the same period.

These statistics paint a grim picture of the food security situation in the country and emphasize the need for immediate intervention.

Obi urges action by calling governments at all levels to prioritize and invest in food production to address the crisis.

He stressed that the ongoing food scarcity and inflation must be met with concrete efforts to boost local food production and secure the nation’s future.

Mary Agro Farms, which has already demonstrated its potential with a strong commitment to agricultural productivity, has played a significant role in tackling food security challenges in the region.

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The farm’s success story is a model for how innovative farming techniques can transform the agricultural sector and contribute to the fight against hunger in the country.

By expanding its operations and scaling up production, Mary Agro Farms aims to play a part in alleviating the pressure on Nigeria’s food supply, which is critical in a nation struggling with high food prices and limited access to basic nutrition for many of its citizens.

Obi commended the management and staff of Mary Agro Farms for their dedication and urged them to continue their efforts, emphasizing that the country’s path to a more secure and well-fed future lies in the hands of innovators and hardworking individuals like them.


 

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