APC Chairman Yilwatda Critiques Atiku's Fuel Subsidy Plan

Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), questioned Atiku Abubakar's proposal to restore fuel subsidy if elected in the 2027 presidential election. Yilwatda expressed concerns that such a plan would reintroduce fuel queues and undermine the benefits of the minimum wage.

He made these remarks in Abuja during a meeting with economic stakeholders discussing Nigeria's economy and ongoing reforms. Yilwatda defended President Bola Tinubu's removal of the fuel subsidy, urging Nigerians to consider the broader implications of reinstating it, including its impact on government revenues and essential services.

He noted that federal allocations to states had increased post-subsidy removal, enabling states to better meet salary and pension obligations. Yilwatda argued that any decision to restore the subsidy should undergo rigorous economic analysis to prevent a return to previous fiscal challenges, highlighting that a subsidy could adversely affect critical sectors that support citizens' welfare.