Atiku’s Subsidy Position Puts Tinubu Under Pressure, ADC Chieftain

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Austin Okai, says former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s position on the possible restoration of fuel subsidy has placed the administration of President Bola Tinubu under fresh political and economic pressure.

Okai said Atiku’s intervention had reopened the national debate over the removal of fuel subsidy while also raising questions about how the savings generated from the policy had been utilised.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the ADC stakeholder said the controversy was no longer simply about whether subsidy should be restored, but also about accountability, transparency and the impact of the policy on Nigerians.

“Atiku has dealt a significant political blow to the Tinubu administration by reopening the conversation on fuel subsidy,” Okai said.

He questioned the government over the savings it had repeatedly said were generated following the removal of the subsidy.

According to him, Nigerians deserve to know how much has been saved, where the money has gone and which projects and programmes were financed with the funds.

Okai said the strong reactions from the Presidency, ministers and presidential aides to Atiku’s position demonstrated the political sensitivity of the subsidy debate.

He argued that the government should provide a comprehensive account of the financial gains from subsidy removal, particularly as Nigerians continue to face high fuel prices and rising living costs.

“The Nigerian people are not asking for propaganda. They are asking for accountability,” he said, stressing that Nigerians needed to see tangible benefits from the policy.

Okai said any decision on the future of fuel subsidy should be based on economic realities and the welfare of Nigerians rather than partisan interests.

He urged the Federal Government to publish a transparent account of the savings from subsidy removal and how they had been spent, saying accountability should precede any further demand for sacrifices from citizens.

The ADC chieftain also called on Nigerians to closely monitor the emerging debate, describing it as a test of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transparency, economic responsibility and the welfare of citizens.