The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of planning to reintroduce fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku made the allegation in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The former Vice-President claimed that the Tinubu administration was considering restoring the subsidy through what he described as “the back door”, alleging that the move was politically motivated rather than driven by concern for Nigerians.
According to Atiku, his team had received what he described as credible intelligence indicating that the Federal Government had entered “full panic mode” and was preparing to reverse part of its fuel subsidy policy as the 2027 election approaches.
He accused the administration of allowing Nigerians to endure economic hardship for years before allegedly planning to introduce limited relief as the election draws closer.
“The strategy is as cynical as it is obvious: impoverish Nigerians for three and a half years, wait until the 2027 election is within sight, then hurriedly return a fraction of the relief you denied them and expect gratitude at the ballot box,” Atiku said.
The former Vice-President’s allegation comes amid continued political debate over the impact of fuel subsidy removal and the wider economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.
