- Tinubu to Atiku: Returning Fuel Subsidy Shows Serious Ignorance in Governance
- Says States Can Now Pay Salaries, Pensioners
- Defends Subsidy Removal, Slams Atiku’s Plan to Restore Regime
President Bola Tinubu has criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his promise to restore the fuel subsidy regime if elected president in 2027.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Tinubu described Atiku’s position as a demonstration of what he called “serious ignorance” of governance and the economy.
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The President spoke on Thursday at the Presidential Villa while reacting to comments made by the former Vice-President during an interview on Wednesday.
Atiku had said he would restore fuel subsidy if elected, arguing that funds saved from its removal under the Tinubu administration had not been properly used to improve the lives of Nigerians.
Reacting to the former Vice-President’s position, Tinubu said the subsidy removal had helped improve the financial capacity of states to meet their obligations.
“I saw one of my opponents (Atiku) now saying he would go back to subsidies,” the President said.
“That is a demonstration of serious ignorance in governance and economy. Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries of workers. Not to talk of pensioners.
“But now, states are no longer owing salaries of workers and pensioners, courtesy of subsidy removal.”
Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office on May 29, 2023, while his administration subsequently allowed the naira to float.
The policies triggered a sharp increase in petrol prices and contributed to higher living costs, with Nigerians facing significant economic pressure.
Atiku, however, has maintained that he does not oppose subsidy removal in principle but argues that the savings should have been channelled into areas such as education, security and poverty reduction.
The exchange between the two politicians comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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