The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of implementing economic policies that place more burden on ordinary Nigerians while providing benefits to wealthy individuals and major businesses.
The criticism came on Sunday through Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, during a response to a newspaper column that questioned Atiku’s proposal to introduce a new fuel support system if elected president in 2027.
The debate over fuel subsidy has remained a major political issue since Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy at his inauguration in 2023. In recent days, both camps have exchanged views over whether subsidy should return and how it should be managed.
Shaibu said Atiku was not proposing a return to the old subsidy regime that covered imported fuel without clear limits. According to him, the ADC candidate’s plan is focused on supporting local refining through a controlled system that would be backed by budgetary provisions and subject to independent monitoring.
He explained that the proposal would apply to fuel refined within Nigeria and would include clear spending limits and a specific duration, with the aim of reducing costs for consumers.
Shaibu also argued that the current administration did not completely remove subsidy but only changed the beneficiaries of government support. He claimed that incentives and waivers were now being directed toward major players in the oil industry rather than ordinary Nigerians.
According to Atiku’s camp, any discussion about the subsidy debate should be based on the details of the proposal being put forward rather than assumptions about a return to previous policies.
The exchange followed a recent article by a columnist who argued that restoring fuel subsidy could create economic problems for the country. The article also questioned the practicality of Atiku’s proposal.
However, Atiku’s camp insisted that its plan differs from the old subsidy arrangement and is designed to provide relief to Nigerians while supporting local fuel production.
The disagreement between both sides has continued since Atiku announced his intention to reintroduce a form of targeted support for fuel production if elected president in 2027.
The fuel subsidy issue remains one of the key topics likely to shape political discussions ahead of the next general election, with both the ruling party and opposition groups offering different approaches to addressing the rising cost of living and energy prices in the country.