Nigeria First: Use Nigerian Hospitals, Cars, Atiku Replies Tinubu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the President Bola Tinubu administration’s latest “Nigeria First” mantra, as another public relations stunt designed to deceive and not deliver.

He challenged the president to show his seriousness over the policy by either trading in his official Escalade for an Innoson, Nord or any made-in-Nigeria car, or that he should conduct all future medical check-ups at LUTH, National Hospital Abuja, UCH Ibadan instead of Paris or London.

Atiku said Nigerians have grown weary of hollow speeches, adding that if the Tinubu’s government is truly serious about local content and economic patriotism, it must start at the very top.

The former vice president, in a statement by his special assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said

“We challenge President Tinubu to stop the noise and trade in his beloved Escalade for an Innoson, Nord or any made-in-Nigeria car.

“That single act will do more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memos. Let’s see the ministers — those shameless Rolls Royce connoisseurs — sweat it out in Nigerian-made vehicles too. Or is “Nigeria First” only for the masses?

“And speaking of double standards, it’s time Mr. President shelves his love affair with Paris and London. If he’s serious about patriotism, his next vacation should be at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, or Erin Ijesha Waterfalls. Nigeria is beautiful — unless, of course, the President thinks otherwise.

“More importantly, the era of jetting off for medical tourism while preaching self-reliance must end. We demand that President Tinubu — champion of “Nigeria First” — conduct all future medical check-ups at LUTH, National Hospital Abuja, UCH Ibadan, or even the N41 billion Naira Akwa Ibom world-class hospital built by an uncommon transformer, in Uyo. If these hospitals are good enough for ordinary Nigerians, they should be good enough for their Commander-in-Chief. Anything less is sheer hypocrisy.”

He said the Tinubu government’s addiction to foreign luxuries while demanding sacrifice from suffering Nigerians is the height of insincerity.

“True leadership isn’t photo-ops or soundbites—it’s setting the tone by example. Nigeria deserves real commitment, not this never-ending charade,” he said.