Atiku's Subsidy Plan Creates Internal Chaos as Aides Contradict Campaign

The presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the African Democratic Congress, descended into public confusion this week over the party's fuel subsidy proposal. Contradictory statements from members of his inner circle prompted the Presidency to attack the former Vice President for lacking policy clarity, with officials accusing him of shifting positions within days of each other.

The disorder began when Paul Ibe, a spokesperson for Atiku, stated that a government led by the ADC candidate would temporarily bring back petrol subsidies and then gradually phase them out as the economy recovered. This account was quickly rejected by another aide, Phrank Shaibu, who outlined a different approach focused on targeted intervention in domestic refining capacity rather than broad subsidy restoration.

Atiku subsequently disowned Ibe's characterization, insisting he had not authorized those specific comments and reaffirming his commitment to restoring subsidies if elected. The Presidency's spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, used the discord to challenge Atiku's economic competency.

Onanuga documented three separate explanations of the subsidy position offered within a single week, labeling this pattern as evidence of political opportunism rather than genuine policy design. The government official questioned whether a targeted subsidy model could function effectively or address the cost-of-living pressures driving Atiku's proposal.

Atiku's final public statement on the matter emphasized support for domestic petroleum refining as the foundation of his subsidy strategy, suggesting government intervention would prioritize local production capacity over direct price controls. He reiterated that his position had not shifted since his initial 2027 campaign pledges.

The competing narratives from his team, however, left unresolved which version of the subsidy plan would actually guide policy if the ADC wins the presidential election.