Nasir El-Rufai has expressed frustration over the lack of credit given to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his pivotal role in leading economic reforms during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. El-Rufai, who is known for his candid remarks on Nigerian politics, made the statement during a recent public engagement, highlighting the importance of acknowledging Atiku’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic transformation in the early 2000s.
El-Rufai, who has worked closely with both Obasanjo and Atiku, emphasized that Atiku was a central figure in implementing key reforms that modernized Nigeria’s economy. "Nobody gives Atiku credit for the work he did in leading economic reforms under Obasanjo," El-Rufai said. "Atiku was instrumental in initiatives such as privatization, liberalizing key sectors, and attracting foreign investments. These efforts laid the foundation for Nigeria's growth in that era, yet his contributions are often overshadowed."
The Governor’s remarks have sparked debate across political circles, with some agreeing that Atiku’s economic policies played a crucial role in stabilizing and growing the Nigerian economy, while others point to ongoing challenges despite those reforms.
El-Rufai’s statement comes at a time when Atiku continues to be a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, with many criticizing his leadership record while others defend his achievements. His comments about Atiku's role in the Obasanjo administration shed light on the complexities of Nigerian politics, where contributions to national progress can sometimes be overlooked or politicized.
The issue of recognition for Atiku’s efforts during his tenure as Vice President has long been a topic of discussion, and El-Rufai’s comments are likely to reignite conversations about the impact of past administrations on Nigeria’s economic development.
