By Lizzy Chirkpi
President Bola Tinubu has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing the position as evidence of what he called “serious ignorance” of governance and the economy.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who paid a thank-you visit to the President following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Reacting to Atiku’s position, Tinubu said: “I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is a demonstration of serious ignorance on governance and economy.”
The President defended his administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy had significantly increased resources available to state governments and strengthened their capacity to meet financial obligations, including the payment of salaries and pensions.
“Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers,” Tinubu said.
He added: “In your state, I know a man that I raised who is nicknamed ‘Half Salary.’ They come to the federal, cap in hand, unable to do anything.”
Tinubu argued that the ultimate measure of increased government revenue should be its impact on the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
“Salary you pay feeds families,” he said, stressing that workers and their families live across the states and local governments.
The President’s remarks followed Atiku’s renewed pledge to introduce a new form of fuel subsidy if elected in 2027.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has argued that the subsidy regime should be restructured, maintaining that the financial gains from its removal have not translated sufficiently into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
In a recent interview, Atiku said he did not oppose the removal of the subsidy but questioned how the funds saved from the policy had been utilised.
“I didn’t oppose the removal of subsidy. But where is the money? The money gotten should have been used to tackle poverty, out-of-school children and other things,” Atiku said.
He subsequently stated: “Where is the money? They stole it. I will return fuel subsidy.”
However, Atiku’s campaign has sought to distinguish his proposal from the former subsidy regime, saying the proposed model would shift government support away from imported petroleum products towards domestic refining.
Under the proposed arrangement, the subsidy would be capped, budgeted and tied to verifiable domestic production, with the stated objective of ensuring that the benefit reaches consumers while reducing dependence on imported fuel.
During his meeting with Adeleke, Tinubu urged the Osun governor to use his electoral victory to promote reconciliation, peace and political stability rather than victimise opponents.
“You are in a very unique position to make history, promote unity, peace and stability,” Tinubu told Adeleke.
“Promote democracy. Promote stability. Promote the rule of law. Don’t stigmatise any of your opponents. You did not conquer anybody; you won the election. That is the essence of democracy,” he said.
The President’s comments came amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with competing political parties and presidential aspirants presenting sharply different positions on the future of fuel pricing, subsidies and economic policy.