By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said that President Bola Tinubu government’s addiction to foreign luxuries, while demanding sacrifice from suffering Nigerians, is the height of insincerity.
The former Vice President said this in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Assistant (Public Communication), Phrank Shaibu.
Atiku, while reacting to President Tinubu administration’s latest “Nigeria First” mantra, paraded through the Federal Executive Council, pointed out that true leadership is setting the tone by example.
He stressed that Nigeria deserves real commitment, not ‘this never-ending charade”.
Atiku pointed out that true leadership is setting the tone by example, stressing that Nigeria deserves real commitment, not ‘this never-ending charade”.
He challenged President Tinubu to stop the noise and trade in his beloved escalade for an Innoson, Nord or any made-in-Nigeria car.
That single act, he reasoned, will do more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memos.
The former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 presidential election, in the the statement, said, “The Tinubu administration’s latest ‘Nigeria First’ mantra, paraded through the Federal Executive Council, is nothing but another tired PR stunt — designed to deceive, not deliver.
“Nigerians have grown weary of hollow speeches. If this government is truly serious about local content and economic patriotism, it must start at the very top.
“We challenge President Tinubu to stop the noise and trade in his beloved Escalade for an Innoson, Nord or any made-in-Nigeria car.
“That single act will do more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memos.
“Let’s see the ministers — those shameless Rolls Royce connoisseurs — sweat it out in Nigerian-made vehicles too. Or is “Nigeria First” only for the masses?
“And speaking of double standards, it’s time Mr. President shelves his love affair with Paris and London. If he’s serious about patriotism, his next vacation should be at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, or Erin Ijesha Waterfalls. Nigeria is beautiful — unless, of course, the President thinks otherwise.
“More importantly, the era of jetting off for medical tourism while preaching self-reliance must end. We demand that President Tinubu — champion of ‘Nigeria First’— conduct all future medical check-ups at LUTH, National Hospital Abuja, UCH Ibadan, or even the N41 billion Naira Akwa Ibom world-class hospital built by an uncommon transformer, in Uyo.
“If these hospitals are good enough for ordinary Nigerians, they should be good enough for their Commander-in-Chief. Anything less is sheer hypocrisy.
“This government’s addiction to foreign luxuries while demanding sacrifice from suffering Nigerians is the height of insincerity. True leadership isn’t photo-ops or soundbites—it’s setting the tone by example.
“Nigeria deserves real commitment, not this never-ending charade”, he stated.
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