Fuel Price Hike: Atiku Urges Tinubu To Adopt Opposition Idea To Lower Petrol Price, Says “Take Credit, I Don’t Mind”

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress [ADC] presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt any policy capable of reducing the price of petrol, even if the idea came from the opposition.

Atiku made the call on Friday while speaking to journalists at a press conference, where he criticised the economic consequences of the removal of petrol subsidy.

According to him, the removal of subsidy without adequate measures to protect families, workers, farmers and businesses has triggered a chain reaction that increased the cost of transportation, food, production and other basic necessities.

“For more than three years, that burden has travelled from the petrol station to the bus stop, from the bus stop to the market, and from the market to the family dining table,” Atiku said.

“When petrol becomes expensive, transportation becomes expensive. Once transportation becomes expensive, food becomes expensive. Farmers pay more to move produce. Traders pay more to stock their shops. Workers pay more to get to work. Businesses pay more for logistics and energy. In the end, the Nigerian family receives the bill.”

He said the hardship can no longer be dismissed as a theoretical debate.

“When government makes energy expensive, it makes life expensive. This is no longer an argument between economies. It is the daily reality of millions of Nigerians,” he said.

Atiku recalled that when he previously advocated government intervention to reduce petrol prices, Tinubu dismissed the proposal as evidence of “serious ignorance of governance and economy.”

He questioned whether the President would also describe organised labour, manufacturers, petroleum marketers and millions of Nigerians who have raised concerns as ignorant.

“My dear Bola, events since then have raised a simple question. Is the Nigerian Labour Congress also ignorant when it calls for urgent intervention to cushion workers from rising petroleum prices? Are petroleum marketers ignorant when they call for policies that strengthen domestic refining and help moderate pump prices? Are Nigerian manufacturers ignorant when they warn that power-related expenses now consume more than half of operating costs? And are the millions of Nigerians crying out because they can no longer afford transportation, food, and other basic necessities also ignorant?” he asked.

“When workers, producers, marketers, and ordinary families are all raising the alarm, government must listen. If everyone who questions your policy is ignorant while only the president is presumed wise, then we have a leadership problem in our hands.”

Atiku said leadership requires humility to confront consequences and courage to change course.

He criticised emphasis on macroeconomic indicators such as GDP growth and increased revenues, arguing that Nigerians judge the economy by purchasing power.

“Government celebrates GDP growth, higher revenues, and bigger allocations. But Nigerians judge the economy by what their money can buy. If government receives more naira while the citizens of Nigeria buy less food, less fuel, less electricity, and less transportation, then bigger government revenues mean little to the families struggling to survive.”

Atiku called on Tinubu to use what he described as the remaining eight months of his administration to give relief.

“I am calling on Mr. Bola Tinubu to act now. He has approximately eight months remaining in office. Bola, I want you to use those eight months to give Nigerians relief,” he said.

“Bola Tinubu should not be ashamed to do what is necessary to lower the price of petroleum simply because Atiku Abubakar proposed a government intervention. He should just take the idea, rename it if he wishes, and even take the credit. What matters to me is that Nigerians pay less.”

“A sensible idea does not become a bad idea because it came from your opponent. If responsible intervention can lower prices, intervene. If changing course can help Nigerians’ families, change course for God’s sake.”

He cautioned against relying on palliatives.

“Nigerians do not need another elaborate palliative economy. Do not make life unbearable and then distribute bags of rice as evidence of compassion. Palliatives manage pain. Good policy addresses the source of the pain.”

Atiku also warned against planned phase-out of electricity subsidies in 2027.

“The lesson of petrol must not be repeated with electricity. Do not remove first and think later. Do not impose the pain first and search for palliatives afterwards. When energy becomes unaffordable, everything becomes unaffordable.”

He offered to provide a framework if needed.

“Nigerians do not have to wait for another administration before they benefit from an idea that can help them today. If you need the framework, I will provide it. Implement it under your government. Give it whatever name you choose. Take the credit. I ask for only one thing: Let Nigerians breathe.”

Atiku outlined that if elected from May 29, 2027, he would introduce a transparent production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians, with spending limits, National Assembly approval and independent audits. Only products confirmed to have been refined in Nigeria would qualify, while imported products would be excluded.

“I am prepared to compete with you politically, but I will never compete with the welfare of the Nigerian people. The presidency may be contested. The well-being of Nigerians should never be.”