Atiku's Fuel Subsidy Pledge Sparks Heated Political Backlash.

Former VP's Promise to Reverse Removal Draws Criticism from APC, Presidency, and FCT Minister.

In a developing political drama that has gripped Nigeria's political landscape, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following his recent pledge to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027. The opposition party's criticism comes amid growing concerns over the economic hardship that has plagued the nation since the subsidy removal.

The APC's National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, didn't mince words when he characterized Atiku's proposal as "desperation of the most pitiful kind" in a statement posted on his X handle. Morka accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate of engaging in political flip flopping, abandoning his previous stance on the subsidy issue for what the party perceives as opportunistic political gain.

Atiku, who had supported the removal of fuel subsidy during his 2023 presidential campaign, now appears to have had a change of heart. During a Facebook Live session, he questioned where the savings from the subsidy removal have gone and demanded accountability from the current administration. "I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money?" Atiku asked, pointing to healthcare, education, and security as areas that should have benefited from the savings.

The former vice president's pledge has attracted criticism from multiple quarters, including the presidency itself. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, dismissed Atiku's new position as "opportunistic," reminding Nigerians that the former VP had campaigned on eliminating the subsidy in 2023. Onanuga further argued that the Petroleum Industry Act had already mandated the end of the subsidy regime, with President Tinubu simply accelerating its implementation.

The controversy took an even more dramatic turn when FCT Minister Nyesom Wike joined the chorus of critics, dismissing Atiku as a "voodoo economist." Wike questioned the former VP's consistency, pointing out his 2022 position that the subsidy system was fraudulent and should be eliminated. "For Atiku, who is confused is a voodoo economist. Atiku will say anything just to be president," Wike declared.

This political firestorm highlights the deep divisions and high stakes surrounding Nigeria's subsidy policy. The removal of fuel subsidy has been one of the most controversial economic decisions in recent Nigerian history, with proponents arguing it was necessary to save the country from fiscal ruin, while critics point to the resulting hardship on ordinary Nigerians.

As the 2027 election draws closer, Atiku's renewed promise to restore the subsidy appears to be a calculated attempt to tap into the widespread discontent over rising living costs. However, his critics argue that this position demonstrates a lack of coherent economic policy and a willingness to abandon principles for political expediency.

The unfolding debate raises fundamental questions about Nigeria's economic future and the true intentions of its political leaders. As citizens struggle with the daily realities of inflation and rising costs, the competing narratives on subsidy policy continue to shape the nation's political discourse.