By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount initiative, describing it as a temporary measure that fails to address Nigeria’s persistent economic hardship.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, spoke on Friday during the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
He accused the Tinubu administration of offering Nigerians temporary relief after years of rising living costs, arguing that the initiative was insufficient to address the effects of petrol price increases on households and businesses.
“Bola, your government has made life unbearable and called it reform. You have demanded painful sacrifices from the people while you, your family, and friends are junketing all over the place,” Atiku said.
The former vice president questioned the timing and sustainability of the 30-day discount, which the government said would prioritise public transport operators.
“Nigerians did not need a press conference to tell them they were suffering. They have lived it for 1,229 days since you took office,” he said.
Atiku also claimed that the government had adopted elements of his previously proposed production subsidy after initially dismissing the idea.
He said his proposal was designed to provide targeted and sustainable support for domestically refined petroleum products, rather than offer a temporary discount.
“When I proposed targeted support to ease fuel costs, you called me ignorant of economic policy. Your government said it could not be done. Now, in a desperate and clumsy retreat, you have shamelessly embraced the principle you mocked,” he said.
He added: “You owe me an apology. But more importantly, you owe Nigerians an answer: what happens on day 31?”
Atiku described the initiative as a short-term intervention that would leave Nigerians facing the same economic difficulties when the discount expires.
“Your 30-day discount is a sugar rush masquerading as economic policy: a fleeting taste of relief at the pump, followed by the same brutal crash when the month ends,” he said.
He argued that a lasting solution would require a clearly defined policy supporting domestic refining, with transparent funding and independent oversight.“My alternative is clear. Support petroleum products actually refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians. Cap the support. Put it in the budget. Audit it independently. Exclude imports. Show the public what it costs and what they save,” he said.
The ADC candidate also questioned whether the discount would translate into lower transport fares and reduced costs for farmers, traders, manufacturers and households that depend on petrol indirectly through the prices of goods and services.
He maintained that the government needed to explain how the initiative would benefit Nigerians beyond the immediate reduction in pump prices.“Families cannot plan their meals around a temporary discount. Transporters cannot set stable fares on it. Businesses cannot invest or plan for the future on it,” Atiku said.
Beyond fuel prices, he called for measures to make food affordable, improve electricity supply, create employment, support businesses and strengthen security on roads and farms.
“A speech about growth means nothing to a family that cannot afford dinner,” he said.
Atiku also accused the administration of failing to take responsibility for the economic consequences of its policies, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the resulting increases in transportation and operating costs.
“You are the President. The petrol price is your problem. The collapsing purchasing power is your problem. The shops closing under the weight of fuel and power costs are your problem. Take responsibility for the country you govern,” he said.
Turning to the inauguration of the campaign council, Atiku charged members to take the party’s message to communities across the country and explain how its proposed policies would be funded.
He described the 2027 election as an opportunity for Nigerians to decide the direction of the country’s economy and the future of their families.
“Another four years of Bola Tinubu means another four years of hunger, hardship and national decline,” he said, urging Nigerians to participate in the election.
The former vice president also called for greater transparency in the electoral process, demanding the immediate public release of polling-unit results, independent audits of election technology and live broadcasts of state and national collation proceedings.He argued that accredited party agents, civil society organisations and election observers should be allowed to verify results without interference.
“Transparency is not a crime,” Atiku declared, adding that technology should support public scrutiny rather than obscure the electoral process.
He further warned against restrictions on opposition campaigns, insisting that political parties should be allowed to canvass for votes across all parts of the country.Concluding his address, Atiku renewed his criticism of the government’s 30-day petrol discount and called on Tinubu to accept responsibility for the economic situation.
“Thirty days cannot erase three and a half years of hardship. Nigerians have heard your excuses and endured your failed promises,” he said.
He added: “After this latest admission of failure, the honourable thing to do is step down. Nigerians deserve a government that will do the work and make life affordable again.”
