President Bola Tinubu has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate of leaving behind unresolved economic challenges that his administration is now addressing.

Tinubu alleged that Atiku oversaw the privatization of government-owned investments during his time in office without ensuring that pension obligations were settled, forcing the current administration to shoulder the responsibility.

The President made the remarks during separate meetings with members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Association and North-East stakeholders advocating the renomination of Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

Reflecting on his professional background, Tinubu urged Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute their expertise to national development, saying there was no better place to apply their knowledge than at home.

"There is nowhere like home. I have experienced life in America and taken the best from America in my chosen profession of accountancy and finance. After my initial training with Deloitte & Touche, I cannot forget the Standard Oil Building in Chicago and my first week there," he said.

Speaking on the security situation in the North-East, the President acknowledged the region's challenges with terrorism and banditry, stressing that unity and collaboration remain key to overcoming them.

"The leadership of the North-East is confronted by terrorism and banditry. I believe collaboration can work. We must remain united, work together, and confront these challenges as one nation," Tinubu said.

Turning to the economy, the President said Nigerians are primarily seeking stability and improved social welfare rather than lofty promises.

"If I may become political, one of my prospective opponents privatized government investments in public enterprises but forgot to pay the pensions. I am paying the pensioners now, clearing the mess they created," Tinubu said in an apparent reference to Atiku Abubakar.