Tinubu hits Atiku hard, says: ‘I’m clearing the mess you created’

Tinubu hits Atiku hard, says: ‘I’m clearing the mess you created’

President Bola Tinubu has intensified his criticism of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, accusing the former vice president of leaving behind huge unpaid pension liabilities after overseeing the privatisation of federal government enterprises during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The President said his administration is now paying pension arrears and addressing long-standing obligations neglected for years, insisting that Nigerians are more interested in economic stability and improved social welfare than political rhetoric.

Tinubu made the remarks on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during separate meetings with members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Association (NDMA) and leaders from the North-East, who visited to appreciate him for retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu said the government remains committed to stabilising the economy despite inheriting significant fiscal and structural challenges.

According to him, the difficult policy decisions taken since assuming office are aimed at restoring investor confidence, strengthening public finances and creating a more sustainable economy for Nigerians.

“The old age is here now. If you can stabilise the economy, Nigerians are not asking for too much—simple stability and social welfare,” Tinubu said.

Without initially mentioning Atiku by name, the President accused one of his expected political challengers of supervising the privatisation of government-owned enterprises while failing to ensure workers received their pension entitlements.

“Somebody among my prospective opponents privatised government investment in public entities but forgot to pay the pension. I’m clearing the pensioners now, so clearing the mess they created,” Tinubu stated.

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The remarks are widely seen as a direct reference to Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007 and chaired the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) under the Obasanjo administration.

During that period, the council supervised the sale, concession or commercialisation of more than 100 federal government enterprises, including Nigeria Airways, NITEL, Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, Nigerian National Shipping Line and several manufacturing, hospitality and utility companies.

While the privatisation programme was designed to improve efficiency and reduce government spending, it also resulted in the restructuring or closure of several public enterprises. Thousands of workers exited the organisations, with labour unions and affected employees raising concerns over delayed pensions, gratuities and severance benefits that remained unresolved for years.

Successive administrations have continued to make payments to clear some of the outstanding liabilities.

Tinubu maintained that his administration is committed to resolving inherited challenges while implementing reforms aimed at rebuilding the economy.

The President also called for greater national unity in addressing security challenges, particularly terrorism and banditry in the North-East.

He urged political leaders, traditional rulers and community stakeholders to work together in supporting ongoing efforts by security agencies to restore peace across affected communities.

“The leadership of the North-East is challenged because of terrorism and banditry. I could see a collaboration that would work together. Only if we stick together, work together and face the challenges the best way possible as a united country,” he said.

Tinubu also reflected on his professional experience in the United States before returning to Nigeria, describing his years in accounting and finance as instrumental in shaping his approach to leadership.

“There is nowhere like home. I have experienced being in America and have taken the best of America in my chosen profession, accountancy and finance. Where can I apply it best after initial training with Deloitte & Touche? I can’t forget the Standard Oil Building in Chicago and my first week there,” he said.

The President’s comments come amid escalating political exchanges between the Presidency and Atiku’s camp over Tinubu’s decades-old civil forfeiture case in the United States.

Earlier on Friday, Atiku’s Special Adviser on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, challenged the Presidency to release documentary evidence instead of issuing public statements defending the President.

In a post on X directed at Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Shaibu argued that the matter had become “a contest of evidence” and urged the Presidency to publish documents it believes would settle the controversy.

His remarks followed Onanuga’s allegation that Atiku spent $1.2 million on American lobbyists to revive Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case. The Presidency has dismissed the renewed controversy, insisting that the matter was resolved decades ago and that the President remains focused on governance and delivering his reform agenda.

With political activities gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, the latest exchange underscores the growing rivalry between Tinubu and Atiku as both camps continue to trade accusations over governance, accountability and Nigeria’s economic future.

Tinubu hits Atiku hard, says: ‘I’m clearing the mess you created’