The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his pledge to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing the proposal as deceptive and capable of undermining the country’s economic recovery.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated this in a statement on Thursday, following Atiku’s declaration that he would reverse the subsidy removal if elected.
Dare accused Atiku of attempting to manipulate Nigerians for political gain, saying the former Vice President’s position could halt what he described as ongoing recovery across various sectors of the economy.
“Atiku Abubakar: Your pronouncement that you will bring back fuel subsidy is drenched in hypocrisy and deceit. It is an unpardonable manipulation of the public psyche, designed to hoodwink unsuspecting Nigerians into voting for you,” Dare said.
He added, “The ongoing recovery across various sectors of our national life annoys you, and will be halted if this thinking of yours is implemented. By the Grace of God, it will not happen, and all good men of conscience must rise up against you.”
Atiku had made the pledge during a Facebook Live session while responding to questions on the removal of the petrol subsidy and how the savings from the policy had been utilised.
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👉 JOIN GISTSMATE WHATSAPP CHANNELThe former Vice President said he initially did not oppose the subsidy removal but questioned how the savings had been spent.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” Atiku asked.
He added, “If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money.”
The proposal has also drawn criticism from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who questioned Atiku’s consistency on the policy.
Wike described Atiku as a “voodoo economist” and accused him of changing his position on subsidy removal for political reasons.
“For Atiku, who is confused is a voodoo economist. Atiku will say anything just to be president,” Wike said.
He recalled that Atiku had previously supported the removal of the subsidy, saying, “This was a man in 2022 that was going to remove the fuel subsidy because it was a fraud. Now in 2026, he was not going to remove the fuel subsidy. Is he going back to the fraud?”
Wike said political leaders should maintain consistency in their positions, particularly when addressing Nigerians on policies with significant economic implications.
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