Atiku to Tinubu: Stop Blame Game, Adopt Argentina’s Javier Milei Approach To Reform

• President Bola Ahmed has been given another advisory tip by his archrival, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
• Amid the economic hardship in Nigeria, Atiku urged President Tinubu to take a cue from President Javier Milei of Argentina to curb Nigeria's financial crisis
• Atiku's advisory comes when the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour unions are gearing up for a nationwide protest

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

FCT, Abuja - Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, has urged President Bola Tinubu to emulate the reform approach of President Javier Milei of Argentina instead of faulting opposition parties and his predecessor.

Atiku, who ran for the presidency in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), highlighted that both Tinubu and Milei inherited troubled economies in 2023 but employed different strategies for recovery.

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In a statement titled ‘Argentina’s Javier Milei approach to reforms should serve as a lesson for Tinubu,’ Abubakar emphasised that Nigeria’s leader could learn from Milei’s efforts, inspiring investor confidence.

He stressed the importance of implementing clear economic rejuvenation policies and showing leadership through sacrifice to address discontentment, particularly among the youth, cautioning against scapegoating the opposition for societal grievances.

He said:

"I read a recent report in the Reuters titled: Argentina’s market double down on Milei as investors ‘start to believe’.

"I took a keen interest in reading the report because I know quite well that Argentina and Nigeria closed the last quarter of the year 2023 on a similar path of economic downturn."

Why Tinubu should emulate Argentine leader

He mentioned that in mid-2023, Nigeria saw a change in government, while Argentina welcomed its new leadership in December of the same year.

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Despite both countries facing economic challenges, the approaches taken by the respective leaders differed.

President Javier Milei of Argentina, who took office on December 10, 2023, inherited a more dire economic situation than Nigeria.

As contained in the statement, Atiku said:

"Nigeria is where we are today simply because of what Tinubu has done or did not do.

"His shifting the blame on the opposition and, even ridiculously, his predecessor is needless and myopic. Market forces don’t play politics. They respond to your actions and inactions."

He mentioned that President Milei's primary electoral pledge was to revamp the Argentine economy following a period of sluggish expansion, soaring debt, triple-digit inflation (standing at 160% upon assuming office in December 2023), and a 40% poverty rate.

Atiku highlighted that his initial objective was to kickstart implementing strategies to attain enhanced macroeconomic stability and foster increased international competitiveness.

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Economic hardship: Outcome of Tinubu's meeting with Dangote, Elumelu, and others revealed

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has established an economic advisory committee comprising governors and essential figures in Nigeria.

This initiative addresses the country's struggling economy and alleviates Nigerians' burdens.

During a Sunday meeting in Abuja, Tinubu emphasised exploring different strategies to tackle economic challenges.

Source: Legit.ng