Presidency Accuses Nasir El-Rufai and Opposition of Undermining President Tinubu
On Monday, the Presidency accused former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and certain opposition figures of orchestrating efforts to destabilize President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing their exclusion from key government roles as a motivating factor.
Contradictions Highlighted in El-Rufai’s Stance
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize El-Rufai’s participation in what he described as a campaign to unseat President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. Onanuga pointed out the inconsistency in El-Rufai’s position, recalling that the former governor had previously asserted that a four-year term is too brief for any leader to implement substantial reforms in a complex nation like Nigeria.
Significant Achievements Under Tinubu’s Leadership
Contrary to El-Rufai’s skepticism, Onanuga emphasized that President Tinubu has made remarkable strides within just two years in office, especially in economic development. He contrasted Tinubu’s accomplishments with the perceived underperformance of past governors in states like Anambra, Rivers, and Kaduna, labeling them as political underachievers.
Economic Milestones
To substantiate his claims, Onanuga cited several key economic indicators: Nigeria’s foreign reserves have climbed to a 44-month peak, the Nigerian Stock Exchange has generated over ₦26 trillion in new wealth, and the All Share Index surged from approximately 53,000 points to beyond 140,000 points. Additionally, the administration has successfully unified exchange rates, achieved four consecutive months of declining inflation, and boosted the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by ₦103.5 trillion within two years.
Fiscal Stability and Social Welfare Initiatives
Onanuga also highlighted the government’s balance of payments surpluses and social welfare programs, including the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) aimed at supporting students, as well as cash transfer schemes targeting vulnerable populations. He noted that increased federal allocations to states and local governments have empowered these entities to expand infrastructure projects and generate employment opportunities.
Growing National Revenue and Future Prospects
“Our national revenue has experienced unprecedented growth and is projected to reach new heights this year and next, especially with the upcoming tax reforms,” Onanuga stated. He added that governors have expressed unprecedented satisfaction with the increased financial support from the federal government, which has facilitated capital investments and job creation at the subnational level.
Dismissal of Opposition Efforts and Political Repercussions
Describing those advocating for President Tinubu’s removal as “politically marginalized and irrelevant,” Onanuga asserted that such attempts are doomed to fail. He further warned that El-Rufai’s earlier comments regarding the insufficiency of a four-year term would be leveraged against him during forthcoming election campaigns.
Source: Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria
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