Tinubu: Atiku’s proposal to bring back subsidy shows serious ignorance of economy

President Bola Tinubu has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing it as evidence of “serious ignorance” of governance and the economy.  

Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday while receiving Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The President defended the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that before the policy was scrapped, 27 states struggled to pay workers’ salaries and pensions and often depended on the Federal Government for financial assistance.  

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, had proposed a new subsidy model focused on supporting domestic refineries rather than subsidising fuel imports. His camp said the plan would be targeted, capped and independently audited.  

Tinubu maintained that resources freed from subsidy removal should instead support infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing and other public services.

The dispute is expected to remain a major economic and political issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with both camps offering sharply different approaches to managing fuel prices and public finances.