Presidency Rejects Atiku's Call to Reinstate Fuel Subsidies

The Nigerian Presidency, represented by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has firmly opposed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar's proposal to reinstate fuel subsidies, stating it would undermine existing reforms in the petroleum sector and create legal and fiscal complications. Onanuga characterized Atiku's plan as retrogressive and a sign of desperation for the presidency.

The Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, reported that the removal of petrol subsidies has generated N15.8 trillion for the federation from June 2023 to December 2025, with N5.4 trillion going to the Federal Government and N10.4 trillion shared among states and local governments. President Bola Tinubu criticized Atiku's proposal as indicative of ignorance regarding governance and economics.

Tinubu had announced the removal of fuel subsidies during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, which led to a significant increase in petrol prices and living costs. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), argues that the benefits from subsidy removal have not reached Nigerians.