2027 Polls: Wike, Tinubu Criticize Atiku Over Plan to Reinstate Fuel Subsidy
The 2027 presidential race has kicked off with a new political clash over Nigeria’s fuel subsidy policy, following former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to implement a new subsidy system if elected president.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announced his stance as political activities for the 2027 elections gain momentum.
The former vice president argued that the government might consider supporting the cost of petroleum products as part of efforts to lessen the economic burden on Nigerians. He also questioned how the savings from the removal of the subsidy have been managed under the current administration.
His position, however, has drawn strong criticism from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu’s camp argued that restoring the subsidy would undo a major economic reform carried out by the government, insisting that the policy had imposed a significant financial strain on the country.
Wike also criticized Atiku’s proposal, questioning the former vice president’s change of stance on fuel subsidy.
The FCT Minister noted that Atiku had previously supported removing the subsidy, leading Nigerians to question his current position.
Wike stated that the debate isn’t just about the price of petrol but about the sustainability of Nigeria’s economic policies and the country’s future direction.
Meanwhile, Atiku aims to differentiate his proposal from the subsidy system that was in place before the Tinubu administration removed it in 2023.
The ADC candidate emphasized that his plan would focus on supporting local production rather than maintaining a reliance on imported petroleum products.
He also linked the proposal to the need to lower production and transportation costs and make energy more affordable for Nigerians.
This disagreement has made fuel subsidy one of the first major economic issues likely to influence the 2027 presidential race.
While the Tinubu administration defends the subsidy removal as necessary for economic reform, Atiku and his allies present their alternative as a way to ease hardship for households and businesses.
As the 2027 election campaign gains momentum, this controversy is expected to intensify as political parties reveal their economic plans and try to convince Nigerians about how they will address inflation, fuel prices, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.
