Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate steps to reduce petrol prices and ease the economic burden on Nigerians. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Atiku said the impact of fuel prices has spread beyond motorists to transportation, food, farming, business logistics and household expenses.
Atiku argued that Nigerians have continued to bear the consequences of the removal of petrol subsidy in May 2023 without what he considers adequate protection for families, workers, farmers and businesses. He said rising petrol costs have increased the cost of moving people and goods, while manufacturers and households face growing energy and operating expenses.
The ADC candidate called on Tinubu to consider his proposal for a capped production subsidy on petroleum products refined in Nigeria. He said the intervention should be tied to domestic production and designed to reduce costs for consumers, while arguing that government policies should ultimately be measured by their effect on purchasing power and living standards.
Atiku also said Tinubu should use the remaining eight months of his administration to provide relief rather than wait for another government. He offered to provide his policy framework to the administration, while making clear that he intends to contest the 2027 presidential election against Tinubu. His comments form part of the wider political debate over fuel pricing, subsidies and the impact of economic reforms on Nigerians.
Daily Times
