Supporters of President Bola Tinubu have accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of being “out of touch” with the nation’s reality, following his vow to scrap every policy enacted by the current administration if he wins the next election.

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) issued a scathing response on Friday, mocking the 77-year-old veteran politician’s frequent stays in the United Arab Emirates and questioning his commitment to the country’s recent economic reforms.

The row was sparked by a television interview in which Mr. Abubakar—now a leading figure in the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC)—suggested he would perform a total “policy reversal” if he succeeds in his seventh bid for the presidency in 2027.

The ‘Subsidy’ Paradox

In a statement signed by Chairman Emeka Nwankpa, the pro-Tinubu group asked if Mr. Abubakar truly intended to return Nigeria to the “inglorious era” of fuel subsidies and multiple exchange rates—policies he himself had promised to end during his own 2023 campaign.

Key Arguments from the TMSG:

• Economic Ratings: The group pointed to “rave reviews” from the World Bank and IMF as evidence that President Tinubu’s “quantum leap” reforms are working.
• Social Safety Nets: They questioned if the opposition leader would scrap the Student Loan Scheme (NELFUND) or the Consumer Credit Scheme, which allows middle-class Nigerians to purchase household goods on credit.
• Infrastructure Legacy: The group challenged Mr Abubakar on whether he would halt ongoing multi-billion naira “legacy” construction projects across the federation.

Analysis: The Battle of the Veterans

What we are seeing is the early opening of the “2027 front.” In Nigeria, the campaign for the next election often begins the moment the last one ends. For Atiku Abubakar, the “total reversal” rhetoric is a gamble designed to tap into Nigerians’ frustrations over the high cost of living, triggered by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

However, by dismissing the reforms entirely, he has given his opponents an easy target. The TMSG’s strategy is clear: paint the former Vice-President as an angry “outsider” who spends more time in Dubai than in the Nigerian heartland. This “Dubai-style politics” label is a potent weapon in a country where voters are increasingly wary of elite leaders who appear disconnected from the daily grind of the local economy. For both men, the 2027 race is likely to be a final, high-stakes showdown that will define their respective political legacies.

‘Out of Touch or Out of Time?’

The support group described Mr Abubakar’s comments as “reckless” and suggested he was “lashing out in anger” because President Tinubu achieved in his first attempt what the former Vice-President has sought for three decades.

“It is worrisome that a man with his public sector experience could be so dismissive of policies hailed as impressive,” the statement read.

The group concluded by warning that an Atiku presidency would be a “trip to Siberia” for the Nigerian economy, urging citizens to protect the “progress” made under the Renewed Hope agenda.