Nigeria's Ruling Party Accuses Atiku Abubakar of Desperation Over Fuel Subsidy Pledge

Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has sharply criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's recent pledge to reinstate the controversial fuel subsidy if he wins the 2027 presidential election. The APC national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, labeled Abubakar's proposal a "desperate" and "pitiful" attempt to gain political advantage, accusing him of abandoning his previous stance for electoral gain.

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Atiku, flip-flopping in last-ditch desperation.

Morka highlighted Abubakar's perceived inconsistency, noting that the former vice president had supported the removal of fuel subsidies ahead of the 2023 presidential election. "Atiku, flip-flopping in last-ditch desperation," Morka stated on his X (formerly Twitter) account, suggesting Abubakar is "clueless and out of touch with Nigeria's economic realities and imperatives of reform."

The APC spokesperson argued that Abubakar's position demonstrates a lack of alternative economic policies and an opportunistic use of populist promises to exploit public dissatisfaction with the hardship caused by the subsidy's removal. The party believes this shift could ultimately lead to Abubakar's "final defeat" in 2027.

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This is desperation of the most pitiful kind.

Premium Times reports that Abubakar made the pledge during a Facebook Live session, questioning the utilization of funds saved since the subsidy's removal. He stated he initially did not oppose the removal but demanded accountability, asking, "Where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?" He then vowed to restore the subsidy and recover any stolen funds if elected.

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If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money.

The presidency has also joined the criticism. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, accused Abubakar of changing his position solely due to his desire to return to power. Onanuga pointed out that Abubakar campaigned on eliminating the subsidy in 2023, calling his current reversal an "opportunistic" shift from a key component of his previous economic platform.

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The former vice president had campaigned in 2023 on the position that the subsidy regime should be eliminated but had now abandoned that position.