Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has launched a pointed critique of opposition figure Atiku Abubakar, questioning the effectiveness of key privatisation efforts carried out under Atiku’s watch and reviving debate over the fate of major state-owned industrial assets.
Speaking at an event where he addressed leaders of opposition coalitions, Tinubu singled out Atiku—who once chaired Nigeria’s privatisation council—arguing that his economic track record is far from exemplary.
“The head among them was once in charge of privatisation,” Tinubu said. “They privatised the steel industry in Delta—is it working today? They privatised Ajaokuta Steel Company—is it working today?”
The President then broadened his attack, alluding to internal rifts within the opposition. In a thinly veiled remark, he added: “They even tried to privatise another man’s political party—that one refused.”
Tinubu’s comments come amid rising political tensions ahead of future elections, as rival factions continue to trade barbs over past economic reforms and policy decisions that remain deeply contentious in Nigeria’s public discourse.