 (12)_1746634963.jpeg)
Former Vice President and President Abubakar, led by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), called on President Bola Tinubu to show his commitment to his government’s “Nigeria First” policy by replacing his government’s “Nigeria First” policy with locally made people.
In a statement issued by the Special Assistant for Public Communications on Wednesday, May 7, Atiku said the president’s actual actions will have a greater impact than the official statement.
On Monday, May 5, the Federal Executive Committee approved Nigeria’s first policy, aiming to prioritize local goods and services in government procurement.
The Minister of Information and Ethnic Training Mohammed Idris announced the decision after the FEC meeting in Abuja, noting that the policy will be formalized through an executive order.
“This policy means that Nigeria appears first in all procurement processes; there is no clear and reasonable reason for foreign goods or equipment purchased locally,” Idris said.
“Now, this is aimed at fostering a new business culture that will be bold, confident, but also very, very, very Nigerian.”
Atiku said in response that the government must go beyond the declaration to conduct concrete actions.
“The latest Nigerian spell of the Tinubu government that marched through the Federal Executive Committee is nothing more than another tired PR stunt – designed to defraud rather than deliver,” the statement said.
“Nigerians are tired of hollow speeches. If the government is really serious about local content and economic patriotism, it must start from the highest.”
Atiku challenged President Tinubu to stop using foreign luxury cars and switch to locally made brands.
“We challenge President Tinob to stop noise and trade from his beloved Escalade to replace Innoson, Nord or any Nigerian-made car. This behavior does more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memorandums,” he said.
“Let’s look at the ministers – those shameless Rolls-Royce connoisseurs – also figure it out with Nigeria-made vehicles. Or is Nigeria just for the masses in the first place?”
Atticu also talks about what he calls the double standard in government public messaging.
“It’s time for Mr. President to shelve his romance with Paris and London. If he takes patriotism seriously, the next holiday should be at the Obdu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve or Erin Ijesha Waterfall.
He further called on the President to commit to the use of Nigerian hospitals for all medical services.
“The era of medical tourism while preaching self-reliance must end. We ask President Tinob (Nigeria’s first Nigerian champion) to have enough people in Luth, National Hospital Abuja, Uch Ibadan, and even 41 billion Akwa ibom ibom ibom World Class Hospital in Hospital Chief Commander.
Atiku concluded by saying that leadership should be demonstrated through examples rather than slogans.
“This government’s addiction to foreign luxury goods while demanding to suffer sacrifices from Nigerians is a height of dishonest. The real leadership is not taking photos or tone, but leading by example.”
