The statement partly read, “A government cannot claim its economic policies are working when the country’s industrial sector is actively shutting down. Citing figures from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Atiku said 767 manufacturing companies had shut down, while another 335 were operating under severe distress. Atiku further stated that manufacturers spent about N1.1tn on diesel to power their factories because of unreliable electricity and higher energy costs. Atiku also criticised the administration’s continued borrowing despite claims that government revenues had improved following the removal of petrol subsidy and reforms in tax administration. The former VP further accused the administration of failing to demonstrate how the gains from subsidy removal had improved infrastructure, healthcare, education and social welfare.