*ADC presidential candidate fires back at Tinubu: You removed subsidy, retained the racket, handed Nigerians the bill
Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Dike Onwuamaeze, Sunday Ehigiator and Peter Uzoho in Lagos
The debate over petrol subsidy removal has erupted into a pro-poor storm of ideas ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with former Vice President and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar defending a targeted subsidy intervention to ease the burden of high fuel and living costs, while economists and energy experts reject a return to the old regime but demand that savings from subsidy removal be transparently channelled into healthcare, education, roads, electricity, domestic refining and other measures that directly improve the lives of Nigerians.
The renewed controversy followed Atiku’s declaration that, if elected president in 2027, his administration would restore a form of petrol subsidy aimed at lowering energy costs and easing the burden of high fuel prices on Nigerians.While the Presidency dismissed the proposal as evidence of economic ignorance and a desperate political manoeuvre, Atiku has fired back at President Bola Tinubu, accusing his administration of removing petrol subsidy without adequate safeguards for citizens while failing to provide sufficient transparency over the savings generated.
