Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken a bold swipe at President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of turning the federal government’s new ‘Nigeria First’ policy into a hollow public relations exercise. The policy, introduced with much fanfare by the Federal Executive Council, aims to prioritize locally made goods and services, particularly in government contracts and procurement. While industry groups like the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Senator Ali Ndume have praised the move, Atiku isn’t impressed.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the initiative as “another tired PR stunt” that looks good on paper but lacks any real commitment. He called on Tinubu to set an example by ditching his foreign-made luxury vehicle. “We challenge President Tinubu to stop the noise and trade in his beloved Escalade for an Innoson, Nord, or any made-in-Nigeria car,” Shaibu said. “That single act will do more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memos.”
Atiku didn’t hold back. He went further to call out ministers who continue to cruise around in high-end foreign vehicles while preaching economic patriotism. “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?” he added, pointing to what he sees as a double standard in how government officials embrace or ignore the policy they claim to support.
According to Atiku, true leadership isn’t about catchy slogans or carefully staged photo-ops. It’s about taking the first step no matter how uncomfortable and showing the country what it means to practice what you preach. “Nigeria deserves real commitment, not this never-ending charade,” Shaibu concluded.
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