African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded an apology from President Bola Tinubu, accusing his administration of adopting his proposed economic relief plan for fuel costs after previously criticising it.
Atiku made the remarks during a press conference on Thursday, following the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) stations, with priority for public transport operators.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, reportedly explained that the measure was not a subsidy but an arrangement to sell petrol at cost.
Atiku said he had proposed targeted support to ease fuel costs in September but was dismissed by the Presidency as ignorant of economic policy. He accused Tinubu of adopting the principle without acknowledging his proposal.
“You owe me an apology. But more importantly, you owe Nigerians an answer: what happens on day 31?” Atiku asked.
He described the discount as a temporary measure that would offer limited relief without addressing the underlying cost of fuel. He argued that his production subsidy proposal was designed to provide lasting support, including by supporting local refining and reducing fuel costs.
Atiku also mocked Tinubu’s approach, comparing the President to a student who copied another student’s answer while claiming originality.
He further described the 30-day discount as “yahoo-yahoo subsidy” and accused the administration of offering Nigerians temporary relief after years of rising living costs.
