The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has tackled former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections to purge himself of petty politics and refrain from peddling economic fantasies.

In the recent weeks, Atiku has expressed concern about the country’s economic challenges, sparking an exchange between him and the presidency.

Atiku had stated that he could envy Tinubu because he inflicts pain on Nigerians.

In response, Onanuga, in a statement issued on Sunday, November 17, 2024, pointed out that Nigerians rejected Atiku and his plans for the country during the 2023 presidential election and that his economic proposals do not offer a better alternative to Tinubu’s reforms.

“Atiku’s critiques of Tinubu’s presidency are mere harebrained propositions devoid of realistic alternatives.

“He must reckon with the decades of mismanaged economy inherited by the current administration, including exorbitant subsidy expenditures far exceeding government earnings from crude oil,” he said.

Onanuga urged the former vice president to repair his reputation as a statesman rather than involving himself in Tinubu’s governance.