Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cited a survey by SBM Intelligence indicating that 67.4 per cent of respondents rejected the Federal Government’s current petrol policy.

Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the finding reflected dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s fuel policy and the rising cost of living.

According to the SBM Intelligence survey, petrol was the second-most cited national problem, with 18.2 per cent of respondents identifying it as a major concern.

The report also rated the government’s performance on petrol at 1.69 out of four, making it the lowest-rated issue among those assessed.

Atiku said the findings reflected the impact of higher fuel prices on transportation, food prices and business operating costs.

He also cited regional differences in the survey, saying petrol was identified as the leading concern by 30.5 per cent of respondents in the South-West and 29.1 per cent in the South-South.

The former vice president criticised the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy was implemented without adequate measures to protect households, businesses and domestic production from its effects.

He said the Federal Government should provide immediate relief to Nigerians and reconsider its approach to petrol pricing.

Atiku also restated his proposal for a production subsidy on petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold domestically.

He said the proposed scheme would exclude imported petroleum products, have a fixed spending limit, require approval from the National Assembly and be subject to independent audits.

According to him, the policy would be aimed at reducing fuel prices, supporting domestic refining, creating jobs and improving purchasing power.

The SBM Intelligence survey was conducted among 1,103 respondents across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering the six geopolitical zones. The organisation cautioned that the findings represented a snapshot of stated sentiment among those surveyed and should not be treated as a prediction of the 2027 election outcome.

Atiku said the survey findings should prompt the Federal Government to reassess its petrol policy and take measures to reduce the burden of rising energy and transportation costs on Nigerians.