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Atiku Abubakar proposes restoring petrol subsidy for 2027
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sparked significant political debate by proposing to restore a targeted petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. Unlike the previous import-based regime, Atiku's plan focuses on a production-linked model where qualifying Nigerian refineries would receive crude at preferential prices to lower domestic costs.
Atiku has criticized the current administration under President Bola Tinubu for failing to account for the funds saved from the 2023 subsidy removal. He pointed to NNPC records showing trillions of naira in “energy-security expenses” as evidence of ongoing fiscal burdens. He has also accused the government of providing fiscal incentives to major oil investors while ordinary citizens face soaring costs.
In response, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Federal Government have condemned the proposal. APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda described the move as a “desperation for power” and a policy U-turn that could endanger the economy by reopening fiscal pressures. President Tinubu also dismissed the plan as showing “serious ignorance of governance and economy.”
While some economic analysts have expressed support for the refinery-linked approach, others warn that reversing the subsidy removal could lead to corruption and economic instability similar to the previous system.
Entities
African Democratic Congress · All Progressives Congress · Atiku Abubakar · Bola Tinubu · Nentawe Yilwatda · Nigeria · Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] APC Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda described the proposal as a desperation for power. solacebase.com · platinumpost.news · theglittersonline.com.ng · thenicheng.com · punchng.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Federal Government and the APC warned that restoring the subsidy would reopen fiscal pressures. punchng.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Atiku Abubakar proposed restoring a targeted petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. silverbirdtv.com · solacebase.com · platinumpost.news · theglittersonline.com.ng · thenicheng.com · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] NNPC recorded energy-security expenses of ₦4.84 trillion in 2023 and ₦7.13 trillion in 2024.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Economic analysts have expressed support for Atiku's refinery-linked subsidy model. www.thisdaylive.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Atiku questioned the whereabouts of funds saved from the 2023 fuel subsidy removal. solacebase.com · platinumpost.news
- [● 2 SOURCES] President Bola Tinubu criticized the proposal as showing ignorance of governance and the economy. solacebase.com · platinumpost.news
- [● 2 SOURCES] Atiku's proposed model focuses on production-linked subsidies for refineries rather than import-based subsidies. punchng.com · dailytrust.com