TheCable

Ortega Ogra, senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on digital media and new media, has responded to a comparison of economic reforms in Nigeria and Argentina, made by Abubakar Abubakar, former vice-president.

Atiku had urged Tinubu to adopt the similar reforms of his Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei.

He said Tinubu and Milei inherited a disoriented economy, but each applied different measures for recovery.

Responding in a post on X on Sunday, Ogra said Nigeria is not Argentina, and Tinubu is not the president of Argentina, saying both countries can not be compared.

The presidential media aide accused Atiku of glorifying the dire situation in the South American nation, saying Argentina’s economic position is bleak.

Ogra said Tinubu is working hard to alleviate the country’s economic difficulties and is committed to building a successful, stable, and inclusive Nigeria.

“To those who may be enchanted, just like our former VP, by the ‘Argentina Miracle’ he quoted, see below the January data of the situation Alh. Atiku praised and says he would have put on Nigerians – had he been 7th time lucky at his shot at the presidency which wasn’t successful,” the media aide said.

“I therefore advise a closer look at the data—lest we forget that even a broken clock is right twice a day.”

Ogra quoted Argentina’s inflation rate as rising to 254 percent in January 2024.

The media aide also cited the 2.8 percent recession projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the country in 2024.

‘ECONOMIC SITUATION IN ARGENTINA GLOOMY’

According to the brand strategist, the ‘gloomy situation’ is exactly what Atiku “says he would have put on Nigerians – had he won”.

“Thank you, sir, for finally telling the Nigerian people what your true plans were. Now we know – stopping salaries, a recession, > 250% inflation, no investment in social security or infrastructure was your plan for Nigerians all along,” he said.

Ogra also appreciated Atiku’s attempt to contribute to the economic discourse, “albeit through a remarkably flawed lens”.

“As for my principal – @officialABAT President Tinubu’s administration, we will continue to roll up our sleeves, not to play the fiddle as Rome burns, but to diligently work towards a prosperous, stable, and inclusive Nigeria. Alhaji Atiku, your statement is perplexing,” he said.

“Your critique of President Tinubu’s administration, while glorifying Argentina’s dire situation, is akin to applauding the captain of the Titanic for its speed, ignoring the iceberg dead ahead I understand the allure of sensational headlines and the temptation to draw parallels where none exist, but let’s be clear: Nigeria is not Argentina, and President Tinubu is not President Milei.”

The presidential said Tinubu will continue to put the wellbeing of the Nigerian population over theatrics of austerity disguised as reform.