TINUBU’S AIDE FAULTS ATIKU’S PROPOSED FUEL SUBSIDY, WARNS OF ECONOMIC RISKS

A senior aide to President Bola Tinubu has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to subsidise crude oil supplied to local refineries, arguing that the policy could create fresh financial pressures for the Federal Government and distort Nigeria’s petroleum market.

The criticism comes after Atiku renewed his call for a return to fuel subsidy, arguing that government intervention could help reduce petrol prices and ease the economic burden on Nigerians. His position has become part of the wider political debate over how best to manage the downstream petroleum sector ahead of the 2027 general election.

Tinubu’s aide, however, argued that subsidising crude for local refiners could simply transfer the burden from one part of the petroleum value chain to another. According to the government side of the debate, such an arrangement could create significant holes in public finances while making the market less transparent and potentially discouraging competition.

The disagreement reflects the broader controversy surrounding Nigeria’s decision to remove petrol subsidies. The Tinubu administration has maintained that subsidy removal was necessary to reduce government expenditure and redirect resources towards development, although the policy has contributed to higher living costs and triggered persistent public debate over its impact on ordinary Nigerians.

Atiku, meanwhile, has continued to argue that government should adopt measures capable of bringing down the cost of petroleum products and reducing pressure on households and businesses. His position has received attention as political parties and presidential contenders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

The latest exchange further highlights the sharp differences between the Federal Government and the opposition over the future of Nigeria’s petroleum subsidy regime. With fuel prices and living costs remaining major concerns for Nigerians, the debate over whether subsidies should be restored, redesigned or permanently eliminated is likely to remain a major political and economic issue.