Tempestuous Tussle Over Nigeria's Economy: Bayo Onanuga and Phrank Shaibu Lock Horns
Tinubu and Atiku's advisors debate economic comparison between current Nigeria and 1960's economy state.
Get ready for a heated debate between political heavyweights! Bayo Onanuga and Phrank Shaibu, special advisers on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, respectively, are gearing up for a battle royale over the state of Nigeria's economy.
According to our sources, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, blasted the current administration at a recent event, stating that Nigerians are worse off and poorer now than in 1960. The AfDB Chief indicated that Nigeria's economy cannot grow with generators, adding more fuel to the fire.
Interestingly, the Presidency came to the defense of its economic policies, comparing Adesina's remarks to those of Peter Obi. But on the other side of the aisle, Phrank Shaibu lauded Adesina for his honesty, citing the country's rising poverty, institutional decay, and crumbling infrastructure.
"Dr. Akinwumi Adesina was right. Nigeria is worse off today than in 1960-just ask the 133 million Nigerians living in poverty." Shaibu argued, going on to mention life expectancy, unemployment, and the collapse of the naira as proof of Nigeria's economic decline.
Onanuga, the Presidency's chief defender, was quick to fire back, dismissing Adesina's claims as false and claiming that Nigeria today is significantly better off than in 1960. But Shaibu was not swayed by Onanuga's shallow comparisons and statistics, challenging the Special Adviser to understand the reality of Nigeria's struggling economy.
"Stop gaslighting Nigerians." Shaibu asserted, accusing the Tinubu administration of dismissing the hardships faced by millions of its citizens.
In a twist of irony, the special advisers are reminiscent of the candidates they represent in their approach to the economic debate, with Onanuga embodying the blind optimism of Tinubu and Shaibu representing the stark reality presented by Atiku.
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- In the ongoing debate about Nigeria's economy, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina's critique of the current administration has sparked sharp responses, with Phrank Shaibu applauding Adesina's honesty over rising poverty, institutional decay, and crumbling infrastructure.
- At the heart of the debate, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency's chief defender, has been quick to counter Adesina's criticism, dismissing his claims and asserting that Nigeria today is significantly better off than in 1960.
- however, Shaibu remains unconvinced by Onanuga's arguments, challenging him to accept the reality of the struggling economy and stop "gaslighting" Nigerians.
- Amid the contentious politics and policy-and-legislation, the current state of Nigeria's economy is a hot topic in the general news, with conversations ranging from the crumbling naira and unemployment to life expectancy and insecurity.
- In the 2025 presidential race, the debate over the economy also serves as a clear distinction between Tinubu's administration and its critics, with Phrank Shaibu embodying the stark reality presented by the opposition and Bayo Onanuga promoting the optimism of Tinubu's economic policies.
- Interestingly, the comparisons between Peter Obi and Adesina's remarks by the Presidency have only fueled the intensity of the debate, with Shaibu criticizing the oversimplification of the situation, urging Onanuga and others to understand the complexities of the economy.
- In the midst of these fierce comparisons and debates, the country's rising poverty, security concerns, and the health of the naira continue to be top priorities for both the Presidency and the opposition, with the economy remaining a key issue among general news and political discussions.
