The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his pledge to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing the proposal as deceptive and capable of undermining Nigeria’s economic recovery.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Date, criticised Atiku in a statement on Thursday, accusing the former Vice President of attempting to manipulate Nigerians for political gains.
Dare said Atiku’s proposal could undermine what the government described as ongoing recovery across different sectors of the economy.
“Atku Abubakar: Your pronouncements that you will bring back fuel subsidy is drenched in hypocrisy and deceit, it is an unpardonable manipulation of the public psyche, designed to hoodwink unsuspecting Nigerians into voting you”, Dare said.
He added that Atiku’s proposal could halt the progress recorded under the current administration, saying, “The ongoing recovery across various sectors of our national life annoys you, and will be halted if this thinking of yours is implemented”.
Atiku, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had made the pledge during a Facebook Live session while questioning how the savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy had been utilized.
The former vice president said he initially did not oppose subsidy removal but questioned whether the government had properly accounted for the funds saved from the policy.
He said that if elected president, he would restore the subsidy and ensure that anyone found to have stolen subsidy funds returned the money.
“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money”, Atiku said.
The Presidency, however, rejected the proposal, arguing that the reversing the policy would undermine the economic reforms being implemented by the Tinubu administration.
The exchange comes as political activities intensify ahead of of the 2027 presidential election, with economic hardship, fuel prices and the impact of subsidy removal expected to remain major campaign issues.
-9News Nigeria.
