The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to openly dissociate his administration from the legacy of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, in a bid to shield himself from the perceived failures of the past regime. The group believes that distancing himself will help prevent the economic and governance challenges of the Buhari era from tarnishing Tinubu’s presidency.
This advice was given in response to a statement made by Reuben Abati, former spokesperson for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who criticized Buhari for allegedly ridiculing Nigeria from his Daura residence in Katsina State, amid the ongoing socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, swiftly dismissed Abati’s remarks, accusing him of trying to distort the truth. Yakubu argued that it was implausible for Buhari to find amusement in Nigeria’s current predicament, especially given that many of the issues Tinubu is grappling with today stem from Buhari’s administration.
“How could Buhari be laughing at a situation he was deeply involved in creating?” Yakubu asked, questioning the logic of Abati’s comments. He pointed to key issues inherited by Tinubu, such as the ongoing detention of Buhari’s central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, and investigations into Buhari’s nephew for alleged financial mismanagement.
Yakubu emphasized that Buhari, known for his serious demeanor, would likely be disheartened by the corruption and economic mismanagement that plagued his administration, even if some of these issues only came to light after his departure from office. “We are confident that the Buhari we know would be greatly troubled by the revelations of wrongdoings that have surfaced since he left office,” Yakubu said.
The statement went further to criticize Buhari’s financial legacy, pointing out the large foreign debts accumulated under his leadership and the mismanagement of the nation’s foreign reserves. According to the Arewa Think Tank, Buhari’s administration borrowed extensively from foreign governments, leaving behind a financial mess that has severely strained Nigeria’s economy.
Yakubu stressed the importance of Tinubu carving out a distinct path for his government, untainted by the shortcomings of his predecessor. He warned that if Tinubu fails to distance himself from the policies and actions of Buhari’s administration, he risks being held accountable for issues beyond his control.
“President Tinubu must act swiftly to show Nigerians that he is different. The nation is facing serious challenges—ranging from inflation to insecurity—and the last thing we need is for these problems to be seen as a continuation of Buhari’s regime,” Yakubu asserted.
The Arewa Think Tank also expressed hope that President Tinubu would make bold decisions to tackle the lingering issues left by the Buhari government, including addressing the country’s debt crisis, stabilizing the naira, and restoring confidence in the financial sector.
As Nigeria grapples with these economic realities, the ATT reiterated its belief that Tinubu has the potential to lead the country towards recovery but must be proactive in establishing his administration’s independence from the past. The group urged the President to continue pushing reforms that prioritize transparency, accountability, and national development.
