Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted President Bola Tinubu over his recent remarks comparing Nigeria’s petrol prices with those in other African countries, arguing that such comparisons overlook the economic hardship faced by Nigerians despite relatively lower fuel costs.
Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, made his views known on Saturday through a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
His reaction followed comments by Tinubu during a visit to Bayelsa State on Friday, where the President urged citizens to appreciate that petrol remains cheaper in Nigeria than in countries like Kenya, even as he acknowledged the strain caused by rising living costs and assured that relief measures were being considered for vulnerable groups.
Responding, Atiku described the President’s comparison as inappropriate, stating that it fails to capture the broader economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
He said, “It is both curious and troubling that the President would isolate fuel prices as a metric of economic comfort while ignoring the far more critical indicators of purchasing power, income levels, and cost of living.
“This selective reasoning betrays either a fundamental misunderstanding of economic realities or a deliberate attempt to deflect from policy failures.
“Yes, petrol prices in Nigeria may appear lower than in countries like Kenya or South Africa. But this comparison collapses instantly when placed against the backdrop of economic realities.
Nigeria today is more expensive to live in than Kenya, with the average cost of living significantly higher, despite lower fuel prices.”
The former vice president went further to highlight what he described as declining earning power among Nigerians, contrasting it with income levels in Kenya.
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He noted that Kenya’s GDP per capita is nearly twice that of Nigeria, while a minimum wage worker in Nairobi earns about ₦170,000, compared to Nigeria’s ₦70,000.
“In effect, while a Kenyan earns more and pays more, a Nigerian earns far less and is forced to survive under crushing economic pressure. This is the reality the President chose to ignore.”
Atiku also criticised Nigeria’s wage framework, saying it does not adequately reflect economic differences across regions.
He emphasised that affordability cannot be judged by prices alone, warning that current conditions have significantly worsened living standards.
“The implication is clear: affordability is not defined by price alone, but by the relationship between income and expenditure. On this measure, Nigerians have never had it worse.”
He added that the government’s reliance on selective comparisons could create the impression of detachment from the people’s struggles.
“It is, therefore, deeply disappointing that at a time when citizens expect empathy, clarity, and decisive leadership, the President has chosen the path of statistical convenience.
A government that relies on selective comparisons while its citizens grapple with rising poverty, inflation, and declining living standards risks appearing not only out of touch, but indifferent,” he stated.