The APC has defended Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing recent criticism from Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai as desperate, self-serving, and rooted in the failure of past administrations

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, calling recent criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai a desperate attempt to regain political relevance.

Also read: From subsidy removal to infrastructure boom: How Tinubu’s policies are reshaping Nigeria

In a statement on Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed the trio’s remarks as “self-serving” and rooted in their historical failure to address Nigeria’s economic challenges during their time in office.

“In all 24 years, the trio, individually or collectively, could not and did not eradicate poverty in their states or the country… they revelled in mindless rent-seeking behaviour,” Morka stated.

Morka praised Tinubu’s reforms particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira saying they have laid the foundation for an unprecedented economic transformation in Nigeria.

According to him, these reforms are transitioning the country from a consumption-driven economy to a production-based one.

Over the weekend, Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai accused Tinubu of worsening poverty and using economic hardship as a political weapon.

“Indubitably, in two years, President Tinubu has demonstrated political will to tackle structural barriers… far more than any other President in Nigeria’s modern history

However, the APC pushed back, saying their criticism only highlights their discomfort with losing access to state patronage and a corrupt, import-dependent system.

The statement argued that the Naira’s market-driven valuation and the harmonisation of exchange rates have begun to boost local productivity, attract investment, and reduce Nigeria’s import dependency.

Morka added that the Tinubu administration has achieved what others failed to do:

He further noted that the minimum wage in many states has increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, an indicator of growing fiscal capacity and economic health under Tinubu’s leadership.

In a direct jab at Amaechi, the APC accused him of “freeloading” for nearly 24 years without making meaningful strides against poverty in Rivers State or Nigeria at large.

The party insisted that the current reforms are dismantling the very system that enabled the likes of Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and Amaechi to thrive a system, it says, built on rent-seeking, cronyism, and economic stagnation.

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The APC concluded by urging Nigerians to ignore what it described as “disruptive political tactics” and instead focus on the long-term gains of President Tinubu’s economic policies.