President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has criticised the record of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to contest against him in the 2027 presidential election, over the handling of pension obligations linked to the privatisation of government-owned enterprises during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Speaking on Thursday during a visit by stakeholders from the Northeast and governors who came to appreciate his choice of Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 election, Tinubu claimed that those affected by the privatisation process were left without their pension payments.
The President stated that his administration had taken steps to address the issue by clearing outstanding pension obligations owed to affected workers, adding that he was focused on fixing previous challenges rather than blaming past leaders.
Tinubu said his government would continue with its reform agenda, stressing that Nigeria’s progress depends on unity and effective governance despite the country’s diversity.
“Someone among my prospective opponents privatised government investments in public entities but failed to pay the pensions. I am addressing those outstanding payments now and correcting the situation,” the President said.
The reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration have continued to generate mixed reactions among Nigerians. Supporters argue that the policies are necessary to strengthen the economy and create long-term benefits, while critics maintain that the changes have increased hardship and worsened living conditions for many citizens.
