Our Reporter, Abuja
The spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of misplaced priorities and urging the government to focus on issues Nigerians consider more urgent.
Ibe was reacting to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who dismissed as “fake news” reports suggesting that President Tinubu planned to replace his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with former Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Ibe downplayed the significance of the speculation, stating that Nigerians were not concerned about who occupies the position of Chief of Staff. He described debates over whether Gbajabiamila would be replaced as inconsequential to the daily struggles of citizens.
According to him, what Nigerians care about is for President Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the recently passed Tax Reform Law, which he referred to as the “gbajue” law, pending the outcome of an investigation by lawmakers into the process that produced it.
Ibe further accused the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government of “weaponising poverty” and politicising the anti-corruption fight, arguing that these actions have worsened the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“Who cares whether Muri-Okunola or any other replaces Gbajabiamila or not. It is inconsequential.
“What Nigerians care about is for Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the forged ‘gbajue’ Tax Reform Law pending the outcome of the investigation by the lawmakers.
“What Nigerians care about is for Tinubu to stop the weaponization of poverty and the anti-corruption fight,” Ibe asserted.
On security, the Atiku spokesperson alleged that the Federal Government appeared to have entered into a “seeming pact with bandits and terrorists,” a development he said has left many Nigerians vulnerable to killings and destruction of property, particularly in the Middle Belt region. The federal government has repeatedly denied such allegations.
He also accused President Tinubu of prioritising political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections over genuine development, claiming that the administration was pursuing state capture strategies rather than focusing on the welfare of citizens.
Ibe concluded by calling on the President to stop “playing politics with every facet” of Nigerians’ lives.
