President Bola Tinubu has criticised Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over his pledge to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing the proposal as evidence of “serious ignorance” of governance and the economy.
Tinubu said the removal of subsidy had significantly increased revenues available to the three tiers of government, arguing that the additional resources should be deployed by states to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
The President spoke on Thursday while receiving Ademola Adeleke, the re-elected governor of Osun State, at the State House.
“I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is a demonstration of serious ignorance on governance and economy,” Tinubu said.
He said the financial constraints faced by states before his administration removed the subsidy had limited their ability to pay workers’ salaries and pensions and provide basic services.
