APC to Atiku: You lack moral ground to criticise Tinubu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent comments on the economy, accusing him of lacking the moral authority to criticise President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today yesterday, said Atiku had admitted that $21 billion earmarked for electricity projects during the administration he served in between 1999 and 2007 was squandered.

Morka argued that given such an antecedent, Atiku should be restrained in his criticism of the current government.

He said:

> “When was the last time in this country’s history that we recorded the level of trade surpluses that we have today, back-to-back? When was the last time we optimised non-oil exports, cut down imports and scored big in trade balances?

> “This same Atiku, under the administration he served, had an oil windfall – manna from oil. What did they do with it? He has publicly confessed to squandering $21 billion meant to give us electricity. Has he forgotten?

> “When Nigerians complain, they have a right to. But when people who failed miserably when entrusted with leadership now turn around to blame others, I think such people should be quiet, with due respect.”

Morka maintained that the Obasanjo/Atiku administration failed to translate the oil boom into lasting development, adding that Atiku’s record disqualified him from casting stones at President Tinubu’s policies.

According to him, while ordinary citizens reserve the right to speak on national issues, leaders who had once held office but mismanaged opportunities should show restraint in their public criticisms.