Atiku is father of subsidy removal in Nigeria — Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim

Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, has labeled former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the "father of subsidy removal" in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. Olawepo-Hashim stated that Abubakar's recent change of stance on the removal of fuel subsidies, without offering an explanation or apology, is dishonest.

Olawepo-Hashim, who has consistently opposed the removal of subsidies on petroleum products, reiterated his position in a recent interview. He argued for the restoration of subsidies on petroleum and other essential products to shield citizens and productive sectors from severe economic shocks. He expressed concern over politicians who campaigned on subsidy removal now reversing their positions, questioning the sincerity of their new stances.

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Atiku's recant on subsidy removal without an apology is dishonesty. If you change your position because circumstances or evidence have changed, tell Nigerians why you changed.

Specifically criticizing Abubakar, Olawepo-Hashim stated, "Atiku's recant on subsidy removal without an apology is dishonesty. If you change your position because circumstances or evidence have changed, tell Nigerians why you changed." He noted that Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Peter Obi all campaigned on subsidy removal in the 2023 presidential election, while he, Omoyele Sowore, and Prince Adewole Adebayo opposed it.

Olawepo-Hashim asserted that Abubakar's advocacy for subsidy removal predates the current administration. He recalled that during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, when Abubakar served as Vice President and headed the economic team, petroleum product prices were increased and subsidies removed. He and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials publicly opposed this decision at the time.

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The truth of the matter is that Atiku, before Tinubu, on the National political scene, has been the father of the idea of subsidy removal and wholesale privatization in this republic, he and his so-called economic team. We combatted them vigorously during the early period of the Obasanjo government.