Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has launched a fresh attack on President Bola Tinubu over the removal of petrol subsidy, accusing the president of worsening the economic hardship confronting Nigerians while defending the policy as a major achievement.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said Tinubu’s comparison of demands for fuel subsidy relief to a call for Moses to return to Egypt demonstrated a lack of understanding of the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
In a statement issued on his behalf by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the former vice-president accused Tinubu of celebrating the removal of petrol subsidy without adequately addressing its consequences for households and businesses.
Atiku argued that the president’s decision to end the subsidy on his first day in office had triggered severe economic pressures, particularly through rising transportation costs, food prices and the cost of running businesses.
“Bola, you are the Egypt Nigerians are desperate to escape,” Atiku said, accusing the president of lecturing citizens on the need to avoid returning to a policy they believe could provide relief from escalating living costs.
He further criticised Tinubu’s use of biblical references to defend the policy, arguing that Nigerians needed practical solutions to their economic difficulties rather than metaphors.
According to Atiku, many families are struggling to afford food, workers are spending a significant portion of their earnings on transportation, and businesses are grappling with the high cost of electricity.
He maintained that the administration must explain how it intends to make life more affordable instead of presenting the removal of the subsidy as an accomplishment.
The ADC presidential candidate also outlined his proposed approach to easing fuel costs, promising a targeted support scheme for verified petroleum products refined locally and sold to Nigerian consumers.
Under the proposal, he said, imported fuel would not qualify for the support, while independent auditors would monitor the programme to ensure transparency and accountability.
Atiku added that the intervention would be considered unsuccessful if it failed to reduce the prices paid by consumers at the pump.
Beyond the economy, the former vice-president criticised the Tinubu administration over the worsening security situation, insisting that the president could not continue to rely on the failures of his predecessor to explain persistent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats.
He faulted the reported defence by Tinubu’s campaign Director-General, who questioned what the president could achieve against insecurity when former President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired military general, had been unable to eliminate the problem.
Atiku cited the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as an example of leadership that, in his view, demonstrated that progress could be made in tackling insecurity.
He said Nigerians expected the president to protect lives, rescue abducted citizens and restore confidence in travelling, farming and conducting business without fear of attacks.
Atiku argued that the security situation under Tinubu should be assessed based on the administration’s own performance rather than comparisons with previous governments.
He added that the president would struggle to justify seeking another term in office if he could not present a convincing plan to address the country’s security challenges.
The former vice-president also expressed concern over the welfare of serving and retired police officers, alleging that inadequate remuneration and poor retirement benefits were undermining their ability to provide effective service.
He cited the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly told him that he received a monthly pension of ₦29,000.
Atiku further alleged that some serving police personnel were relying on their pension savings to meet household expenses, raising questions about their financial security despite the risks associated with their duties.
He urged Tinubu to address the concerns of retired officers, act on the Police Exit Bill and review the salaries of serving police personnel, noting that members of the Armed Forces had benefited from salary adjustments.
According to him, police officers require adequate pay, healthcare and retirement benefits to perform their duties without the added burden of worrying about their families’ welfare.
Atiku concluded by accusing the Tinubu administration of failing to provide sufficient relief from economic hardship and insecurity.
He insisted that Nigerians deserved affordable energy, safer communities and improved welfare for security personnel, adding that the country needed policies capable of producing tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.
“Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again,” Atiku declared.
