Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government’s handling of petrol subsidy removal, expressing concern over the rising cost of transportation, food and energy in Nigeria.
Atiku pledged to introduce policies aimed at reducing the economic burden on Nigerians if elected president, saying, “I will make life affordable again.”
In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address failed to adequately reflect the economic challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.
He particularly criticised the President’s defence of petrol subsidy removal and his description of subsidies as “addictive.”
Atiku also challenged Tinubu’s claim that salaries and pensions were being paid “on time and in full,” alleging that some federal workers had reported delays while pensioners were still protesting over unpaid entitlements.
He cited Germany’s decision to temporarily reduce energy taxes on petrol and diesel from October 1 to December 31, 2026, as an example of government intervention to ease the impact of high fuel prices.
According to Atiku, the increase in petrol prices has effects beyond transportation, as higher transport costs contribute to rising prices of food and other essential goods.
> “When petrol becomes more expensive, transport becomes more expensive. When transport costs rise, food and other essentials cost more. The hardship follows Nigerians from the filling station to the market and into their homes,” he said.
Atiku proposed targeted support for locally refined petrol instead of a blanket subsidy. He said the policy would involve government funding tied specifically to fuel refined in Nigeria, with strict auditing mechanisms.
He said the proposed support would not apply to imported fuel and would be designed to reduce pump prices, create jobs and prevent diversion or price manipulation.
Atiku also expressed sympathy for Nigerians struggling with higher household expenses, saying his proposed economic approach would focus on reducing costs and increasing domestic production.
The debate over petrol pricing has remained a major issue in Nigeria since the Federal Government removed the petrol subsidy in May 2023. The government has defended the policy as necessary to reduce the cost of subsidising fuel and redirect public funds, while also pointing to wage increases, social intervention programmes and other measures aimed at cushioning its effects.
Atiku, however, said government should take additional measures to reduce the pressure on households.
He said, “Nigeria’s wealth should ease the burden on its people,” adding that his approach would focus on producing locally, creating jobs and making life more affordable.
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