A fierce political battle has erupted between the Nigerian Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over fuel subsidy policy, with President Bola Tinubu’s administration accusing the opposition candidate of dangerous flip flopping for electoral advantage. Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate for 2027, has promised to restore the petrol subsidy regime if elected, sharply contradicting his 2023 campaign position that favored subsidy removal.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, launched a scathing on Atiku’s policy reversal, describing it as political apostasy and a sordid manipulation of public sentiment. Dare characterized the proposal as an insult to Nigerians navigating global economic headwinds, emphasizing that Atiku had previously championed subsidy removal as necessary reform. Dr Wale Ahmed, representing Agege Federal Constituency, warned that reinstating subsis would derail Nigeria’s economic recovery and drain public resources through an unsustainable system prone to corruption.
The African Democratic Congress pushed back against the criticism, with National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi urging the government to focus on demonstrating tangible benefits from subsidy removal rather than throwing insults. Ahmed challenged Atiku to explain funding mechanisms for the proposed subsidy arrangement without worsening Nigeria’s fiscal position or reducing allocations to states and local governments.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu’s campaign machinery is gearing up for 2027, with Dr Mary Idele recently appointed as Secretary of the Women Mobilisation Directorate pledging effective grassroots engagement to secure electoral victory through strategic coordination with women leaders nationwide.
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