Uber exit: Tinubu’s reforms are wicked, killing jobs, businesses – Atiku

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has criticized President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, calling them "wicked" as they are causing job losses, increased costs for consumers, and driving businesses out of Nigeria. This statement follows Uber's decision to exit Nigeria after 12 years of operations, citing the company's evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa as the reason for its decision to leave.

Atiku, through his spokesman Phrank Shaibu, stated that Uber's exit from Nigeria was not due to a lack of demand for rides but rather the inability of passengers to afford the fares and drivers to earn enough money to support their families in the current economic situation. Shaibu highlighted several factors contributing to this, including the rising cost of fuel, increased prices for spare parts, car loans, and repairs, the depreciation of the naira, and additional taxes and license fees imposed by Tinubu's administration.

Shaibu further argued that these economic measures by the Tinubu government have led to passengers paying more while drivers earn less, ultimately putting a strain on businesses operating within the platform. He emphasized that Uber could not increase fares due to the financial struggles of Nigerians and could not keep fares low due to the drivers' declining financial situation.

Atiku concluded his statement by urging Tinubu to stop referring to these policies as reforms, noting that any policy that empties people's pockets, kills jobs, and drives businesses out of Nigeria is nothing less than organized hardship and wickedness. He pledged that if elected, Atiku would work to make Nigeria more affordable again.