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By Tracy Moses
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate true leadership by embracing the very ideals he promotes, starting with replacing his luxury foreign vehicles with Nigerian-made alternatives.
Atiku’s came against the he backdrop of President Tinubu’s directive on Monday May 5, 2025, instructing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize locally produced goods and services in public procurement, except in cases where waivers are granted by the Bureau of Public Procurement.
The directive, was announced at the Presidential Villa by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
According to Idris, the initiative aims to place Nigeria at the forefront of public procurement, with a strong emphasis on empowering local industries and reducing dependency on imported goods. He explained that the policy draws inspiration from the “America First Policy” of the United States and seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s economy through increased local content.
However, Atiku is not convinced. In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Wednesday, 7th May 2025, he described the policy as a “tired public relations stunt,” more focused on image-making than delivering tangible economic results. The statement argued that for the policy to carry weight, it must be championed by action, beginning with the President himself.
He urged Tinubu to lead by example by trading in his Cadillac Escalade for Nigerian automobile brands such as Innoson or Nord. According to the statement, such a gesture would resonate more powerfully with the public than any official memo or directive.
“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,” the statement read. “That single act of commitment to locally made vehicles would do more to promote the local auto industry than a thousand policy documents.”
The statement also took aim at federal ministers, many of whom, he alleged, have a taste for Rolls Royce and other foreign luxury cars. He challenged them to also embrace Nigerian brands, questioning whether the “Nigeria First” mantra was only intended for ordinary citizens.
The statement further criticized President Tinubu’s frequent international travels, suggesting he should consider vacationing in scenic Nigerian destinations such as Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, or Erin Ijesha Waterfalls to promote domestic tourism. Shaibu argued that if the President is serious about patriotism, he should be willing to spend his leisure time within Nigeria.
In addition, he called for an end to medical tourism by Nigeria’s political elite, stating that the President should undergo all future medical checkups in Nigerian hospitals such as the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), National Hospital Abuja, University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, or the state-of-the-art facility in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
“The era of jetting off for medical checkups while preaching self-reliance must end. If these hospitals are good enough for the ordinary Nigerian, they should be good enough for their Commander-in-Chief,” he said.
The statement concluded with a sharp criticism of what it described as the administration’s double standards, accusing it of enjoying foreign luxuries while calling on citizens to make sacrifices.
“True leadership isn’t about photo-ops or soundbites. It’s about setting the tone by example. Nigeria deserves a leadership that walks its talk, not one that continues this never-ending charade,” the statement declared.