Atiku Abubakar Challenges Tinubu on Economic Policies

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to President Bola Tinubu's remarks regarding his proposal to introduce a targeted intervention in the petroleum sector if elected in 2027. Tinubu criticized Atiku's promise to restore fuel subsidy, labeling it as a sign of "serious ignorance" about governance and the economy during a meeting with Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In defense, Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, stated that Tinubu's comments indicated a misunderstanding of the current economic landscape. Shaibu emphasized that the Tinubu administration's policies have exacerbated living costs and diminished household purchasing power.

He clarified that Atiku's proposal is not a return to the previous open-ended subsidy regime but rather a "targeted, capped, budgeted, time-bound and independently audited production-support mechanism." Shaibu also questioned the effectiveness of the subsidy removal, citing ongoing under-recoveries and the negative impact on citizens' welfare.