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Onanuga Responds to Atiku and Criticizes His Economic Plans and Politics
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has sharply criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of promoting unrealistic economic ideas and engaging in petty political manoeuvring.
Onanuga’s comments come during an exchange of words between the presidency and Atiku, following his proposals for addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In recent weeks, Atiku has offered his thoughts on how to improve the country’s economy, including his claims that he cannot feel envious of President Tinubu, who he believes is responsible for causing significant hardship among Nigerians. The former vice president’s remarks, however, have drawn the ire of Onanuga, who argues that Atiku’s critiques are nothing more than ill-conceived and impractical ideas.
Onanuga pointed out that the Nigerian people rejected Atiku and his approach to governance during the 2023 presidential election, underscoring the fact that he failed to convince the electorate of his ability to lead the country.
In a statement released on Sunday, Onanuga further stated that Atiku’s economic suggestions lacked any substance, offering no realistic alternatives to the reforms Tinubu’s administration is pursuing.
The Special Adviser went on to remind Atiku that the current government inherited a deeply mismanaged economy, plagued by decades of poor policy decisions, including a massive subsidy burden that far outstrips Nigeria’s crude oil earnings.
He emphasized that while Atiku criticizes the president, his economic proposals fail to present a credible solution to the nation’s challenges.
Onanuga called for Atiku to take responsibility for his past mistakes and focus on restoring his reputation as a statesman, rather than continuing to peddle what he described as “fantastical” and “counterproductive” ideas.
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“You Can Still Have Subsidy Without Long Queues” — Rufai Oseni Speaks On Subsidy
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu Speaks on Lagos’ Power Challenges and the Need for Change
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu Declares August 20 Public Holiday in Lagos for Isese Festival
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
