Presidency, Atiku bicker over subsidy removal

The debate over Nigeria’s fuel subsidy removal has intensified, with the Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar trading words on the policy’s impact. The Presidency insists that the removal was necessary to stabilize the economy and redirect funds toward infrastructure and social programs. Officials argue that continuing subsidies would have drained public finances and hindered development.

Atiku, however, has criticized the move, describing it as poorly implemented and harmful to ordinary Nigerians. He maintains that while subsidy reform is inevitable, it should be tied to domestic refining capacity to cushion citizens from rising fuel costs. His camp accuses the government of failing to provide adequate measures to mitigate the hardship caused by the policy.

The clash highlights a growing divide between the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections, with subsidy removal emerging as a central campaign issue.