The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent comments on the economy, accusing him of mismanaging funds during his time in office.
Morka claimed on Monday that Atiku had admitted to squandering $21 billion earmarked for electricity projects during the administration he served in from 1999.
The statement follows Atiku’s criticism of the Bola Tinubu-led administration over the biting economic hardship in the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Morka said Atiku lacked the moral ground to criticise the present government.
He said: “When was the last time that you know of in the history of this country, when we recorded a level of trade surpluses that were recorded today, back to back? When was the last time that this country was, you know, scoring big, lowering imports. And you know, I mean just optimising non-oil exports.
“This Atiku we are discussing, under his administration, from 1999 these guys had a windfall. It was like manna from oil windfall. What did they do with it? This same Atiku has publicly confessed about how they squandered $21 billion meant to give us electricity. Has he forgotten?
“You see, when Nigerians speak about things, about economics, sometimes I listen, I read, because they have a right to speak. But when people who have been entrusted with mandate, with authority to solve a problem and failed miserably to solve it, when they come along after the fact to speak about, you know, the failures of subsequent governments. You know, I think a man like Atiku, with due respect, on this question, should be quiet.”
He added that under Atiku’s administration, the country enjoyed an oil windfall but failed to channel the resources into lasting development.
Morka maintained that while Nigerians had the right to speak on national issues, leaders who had previously failed in governance should refrain from criticising others.
