The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his feedback on Nigeria’s financial hardship and insecurity, accusing him of hypocrisy and saying solely younger Nigerians unfamiliar along with his political historical past could possibly be misled by his claims.
Keyamo made the remarks in a submit on his X account on Wednesday whereas responding to Atiku’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The minister cited the liquidation of Nigeria Airways in September 2004 and the alleged failure to pay the pensions and gratuities of its former staff, arguing that Atiku also needs to account for the selections taken throughout his tenure as vice-president below former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Keyamo claimed that the Tinubu administration had accepted and launched N36 billion to settle excellent entitlements owed to the airline’s former staff.
According to him, some beneficiaries had begun receiving fee notifications, whereas the employees’ union had acknowledged Tinubu’s intervention.
He described Atiku’s criticism of the present administration over financial hardship as hypocritical, arguing that the previous vice-president had failed to handle points arising from selections taken throughout the Obasanjo administration.
“It’s only the younger ones who don’t know your history you can attempt to hoodwink, but we will expose you to them,” Keyamo wrote.
The minister additionally accused Atiku of taking credit score for the achievements of the Obasanjo administration when handy whereas distancing himself from its selections at different occasions.
“When it is convenient for you, you claim some credit of the Obasanjo-Atiku government and when not convenient, you say Obasanjo was in charge and not you as Vice-President,” he stated.
Keyamo’s remarks adopted Atiku’s attraction to Nigerians over the rising price of residing and worsening insecurity, with the previous vice-president expressing concern in regards to the difficulties dealing with households throughout the nation.
Atiku stated many households had been struggling to afford meals, healthcare, transportation and different primary requirements, whereas pensioners, younger staff and oldsters continued to face financial pressures.
He additionally highlighted the worry confronting households amid studies of kidnappings and assaults, warning towards permitting the prevailing situations to turn into the fact inherited by the following era.
The former vice-president maintained that no Nigerian household ought to need to cope with starvation and insecurity concurrently.
He urged registered voters to gather their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing them as devices via which Nigerians might peacefully demand political change.
“Bola made life expensive. I will work to make life affordable again and restore the security every Nigerian deserves,” he stated.
Atiku additionally known as on Nigerians throughout generations to assist his imaginative and prescient of a rustic the place households might reside with dignity, security and hope.
The change comes amid rising political mobilisation forward of the 2027 normal elections, with political leaders more and more utilizing public statements and social media platforms to criticise opponents and promote their political positions.
The disagreement highlights the rising contest between the Tinubu administration and opposition figures over accountability for Nigeria’s financial challenges, insecurity and the insurance policies wanted to enhance residing situations.
While Atiku has known as for adjustments to handle the hardship dealing with Nigerians, Keyamo has challenged the previous vice-president to account for the file of the administration wherein he served.
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