Opposition leader Atiku Abubakar has put President Bola Tinubu to task over his espousal of the Nigeria First policy in procurement practises.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dared President Tinubu to put the policy to practise by trading his Escalade official vehicle for a local brand such as Innoson or other local brands.
He also dared Tinubu to choose local hospitals for his medicals over foreign medical institutions.
GWG.ng reports that the Federal Executive Council, FEC presided over by President Tinubu had on Monday enunciated a Nigeria First policy in procurement practises.
However, responding to the assertion, Atiku through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu said:
“The Tinubu administration’s latest “Nigeria First” mantra, paraded through the Federal Executive Council, is nothing but another tired PR stunt—designed to deceive, not deliver. Nigerians have grown weary of hollow speeches. If this government is truly serious about local content and economic patriotism, it must start at the very top.
“We challenge President Tinubu to stop the noise and trade in his beloved Escalade for an Innoson, Nord or any made-in-Nigeria car. That single act will do more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memos. 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?
“And speaking of double standards, it’s time Mr. President shelves his love affair with Paris and London. 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.
“More importantly, the era of jetting off for medical tourism while preaching self-reliance must end. We demand that President Tinubu—champion of “Nigeria First”—conduct all future medical check-ups at LUTH, National Hospital Abuja, UCH Ibadan, or even the #41 billion Naira Akwa Ibom world-class hospital built by uncommon transformer, in Uyo. If these hospitals are good enough for ordinary Nigerians, they should be good enough for their Commander-in-Chief. Anything less is sheer hypocrisy.
“This government’s addiction to foreign luxuries while demanding sacrifice from suffering Nigerians is the height of insincerity. True leadership isn’t photo-ops or soundbites—it’s setting the tone by example. Nigeria deserves real commitment, not this never-ending charade,” Atiku said in his challenge to Tinubu on the Nigeria First Policy. Gwg.ng
