Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, has stated that former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi are “confused politicians” with little understanding of Nigeria’s economy.
Alabi, who represents Egbeda/Ona Ara federal constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the remarks during the launch of a grassroots support group called “Friends of Akin Alabi for Tinubu 2027” on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The lawmaker claimed that Atiku, Obi, or any other potential presidential candidates in 2027 would be unable to outperform President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He described the duo as lacking clarity on economic policies and questioned their capacity to manage the country’s financial affairs.
“For those who understand the economy, there is micro and macroeconomic policy. Tinubu said no more subsidy. He is trying to restructure the economy,” Alabi said.
He noted that many presidential candidates in the 2023 election also promised to remove fuel subsidies and float the naira, but argued that Tinubu has actively implemented these policies. “Virtually, all the presidential candidates in 2023 said they would remove subsidy. They all said that they are going to remove fuel subsidy, they all said that they are going to float the naira. Asiwaju has been doing that. Everybody that understands the economy will know that Nigeria’s economy is on the track,” he added.
Alabi further criticized Atiku and Obi’s approach to campaigns, suggesting they rely on populist or superficial rhetoric rather than issue-based discussions. “The question is, what do they have? They said they will do what the President is doing, and the President is doing it. When it comes to issue-based campaigns, they will not have anything to say,” he stated.
He mocked their alleged lack of economic insight, saying, “Now, they will ask how much is a Kongo of garri because they don’t know anything about the economy. What they will just say is beer parlor politics. But the good thing is they said they will do the same thing that Asiwaju is doing. What Tinubu is doing is the right thing, and they will do the same.”
Alabi’s comments reflect his strong endorsement of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, emphasizing that the current administration’s economic strategies are on the right track and should continue.
