Wike Criticizes Atiku's Fuel Subsidy Promise for 2027

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), criticized Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), for his recent promise to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027. Speaking on Thursday in Abuja while inspecting infrastructure projects, Wike accused Atiku of inconsistency, recalling that during the 2023 presidential campaign, Atiku had pledged to remove fuel subsidy within his first 100 days in office.

Wike questioned Atiku's change in position, asking if he was reverting to a policy he previously labeled as fraudulent. He described Atiku as a “voodoo economist” and emphasized the importance of consistency in leadership.

Wike also raised concerns about the feasibility of reinstating fuel subsidies under the current Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which has transformed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation into NNPC Limited. He challenged Atiku to explain how he would manage savings from subsidy removal and questioned whether a subsidy would apply to fuel produced by the Dangote Refinery, arguing that reinstating subsidies would undermine the PIA's objectives.