Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said that President Bola Tinubu led administration is not sincere with its Nigeria First Policy, urging him to trade his Escalade for Innoson Motors to convince Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to the former Vice President, described the policy, which was reiterated during the latest Federal Executive Council meeting, as “another tired PR stunt” meant to deceive Nigerians rather than drive real change.
He said: “If this government is truly serious about promoting local industry, it must start at the top. We challenge President Tinubu to trade in his Escalade for an Innoson, Nord, or any made-in-Nigeria car. That singular gesture would have a greater impact on boosting local manufacturing than any policy document.”
Atiku also berated government officials who reportedly enjoy luxurious foreign-made vehicles while advocating for economic patriotism.
“Let’s see the ministers—those shameless Rolls Royce connoisseurs—sweat it out in Nigerian-made vehicles too. Or is ‘Nigeria First’ only for the masses?” he said.
On the issue of frequent foreign trips, he urged President Tinubu to patronize Nigeria’s local tourist destinations instead of heading abroad.
“If he’s serious about patriotism, his next vacation should be at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, or Erin Ijesha Waterfalls. Nigeria is beautiful—unless, of course, the President thinks otherwise.”
The statement also criticized the President’s medical tourism habits, arguing that true leadership would mean using local healthcare facilities like LUTH, UCH Ibadan, or the National Hospital Abuja.
“Anything less is sheer hypocrisy,” Mr Shaibu added, citing the recently commissioned N41 billion hospital in Uyo as an example of a facility good enough for any Nigerian—including the President.
He concluded by accusing the Tinubu administration of demanding sacrifices from struggling citizens while continuing to indulge in “foreign luxuries.”
According to him: “True leadership isn’t about photo-ops or soundbites—it’s about setting the tone by example.”
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