The All Progressives Congress has faulted criticism of President Bola Tinubu by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party, Peter Obi, asking the duo to share suggestions with the President on how to effectively run the economy and governance.  

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday, urged the two presidential candidates of opposition political parties to suggest ideas to Mr Tinubu and not just condemn what the government is doing to address economic hardship in the country.

Mr Morka stated that they were making “incendiary” statements to instigate the public.

He said, “Opposition politics is not necessarily about condemning. These individuals, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, touted some of the economic policies this government is running with to be at the core of their economic agenda. So what has happened? So it is not enough to just condemn, these leaders should be able to, assuming they have the silver bullets this government is not deploying, they point it out.’’

Mr Morka dismissed Mr Abubakar’s recent criticisms of the Tinubu-led APC government as “completely jaundiced by his own political self-interest.”

“It is not enough for Atiku Abubakar to bandy words. I expect a man who thinks deeply as he claims about governance, economy, and other aspects of our natural life to offer ideas, concrete suggestions,” he said.

The duo of Mr Abubakar and Mr Obi have criticised Mr Tinubu’s economic policies, lamenting economic hardship in the country.

Last week, Mr Abubakar berated Mr Tinubu’s government, saying his chaotic policies were dashing hope and pushing the country to the brink. 

With inflation and food prices spiking under Mr Tinubu’s watch, Nigerians have cried out over economic hardship. Earlier in the week, protests over soaring food prices rocked two northern states, Niger and Kano.

But Mr Tinubu, in December 2023, urged Nigerians to show understanding, saying “the financial re-engineering of our country is ongoing. We are determined to deliver Nigeria safely through the tunnel of hope, stability, and economic prosperity.”

Last week, fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde, aka Kwam 1, who is also Mr Tinubu’s musician ally during his campaign, cried out over economic hardship in the country.

“Nigerians are angry, traders are angry, why is kidnapping on the increase?” Kwam 1 sang, lamenting the naira freefall against the dollar.