The Presidency has rejected Atiku Abubakar’s promise to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, accusing the former Vice President of making a politically motivated proposal that could derail Nigeria’s economic recovery.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, made the criticism in a statement on Thursday, August 20, shortly after Atiku announced his intention to reverse the subsidy removal.
Dare accused the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate of seeking to exploit public frustration for political advantage, arguing that a return to the subsidy regime could undermine improvements the government says are beginning to emerge across the economy.
“Atiku Abubakar: Your pronouncement that you will bring back fuel subsidy is drenched in hypocrisy and deceit. It is an unpardonable manipulation of the public psyche, designed to hoodwink unsuspecting Nigerians into voting for you,” Dare said.
He added, “The ongoing recovery across various sectors of our national life annoys you, and will be halted if this thinking of yours is implemented. By the Grace of God, it will not happen, and all good men of conscience must rise up against you.”
Atiku made his pledge during a Facebook Live session while responding to questions about President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end the subsidy and what happened to the savings generated by the policy.
The former Vice President said he had initially supported the removal but now questioned whether Nigerians had benefited from the resources freed by the policy.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” Atiku asked.
He added, “If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money.”
READ ALSO: 2027: Atiku Promises To Restore Petrol Subsidy If Elected President
Atiku’s position followed the Federal Government’s disclosure that the removal of the petrol subsidy, alongside foreign exchange reforms, generated N15.8tn in resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
The government has said the funds were distributed among the three tiers of government, with the Federal Government receiving N5.4tn and states and local governments collectively receiving N10.4tn.
Atiku’s proposal has also attracted criticism from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who questioned the former Vice President’s consistency on subsidy policy.
Wike described Atiku as a “voodoo economist” and accused him of changing his position to suit his political ambitions.
“For Atiku, who is confused is a voodoo economist. Atiku will say anything just to be president,” Wike said.
The FCT minister recalled Atiku’s previous position on the subsidy, saying the former Vice President had supported its removal during the 2023 election cycle.
“This was a man in 2022 that was going to remove the fuel subsidy because it was a fraud. Now in 2026, he was not going to remove the fuel subsidy. Is he going back to the fraud?”
Wike argued that politicians should maintain consistent positions, particularly when discussing economic policies capable of significantly affecting the lives of Nigerians.
The exchange has added the petrol subsidy to the growing list of major economic issues likely to feature prominently in the 2027 presidential campaign, with Atiku defending a return to the policy while the Tinubu administration argues that its removal is necessary for long-term economic stability.