Atiku Challenges Tinubu on Fuel Subsidy Policy
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again criticized President Bola Tinubu’s government for continuing to pay subsidies on petrol (Premium Motor Spirit – PMS).
This criticism comes after Tinubu approved a request from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to use the 2023 dividends owed to the federation to subsidize petrol.
Atiku shared his concerns on Facebook, describing this move as another example of unclear governance under Tinubu’s administration. He pointed out that this decision contradicts Tinubu’s earlier promise during a national address, where he announced the end of the subsidy.
Atiku, who was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the last election, noted that even before this recent development, there were signs that subsidy payments were still being made, but in less transparent ways.
He argued that the difference between what President Tinubu says and what he does weakens the trustworthiness of his leadership and damages the credibility of his administration.
Atiku also criticized the delays in reopening the Port Harcourt refinery, calling it a national embarrassment. He blamed President Tinubu for this failure, as Tinubu is also the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Additionally, Atiku said that the repeated denials by NNPC Limited make life harder for Nigerians, who are already struggling with fuel shortages and rising prices. He expressed concern that President Tinubu has remained silent amid ongoing disputes between local investors who support refinery operations and those who prefer importing petrol.
Atiku urged President Tinubu to take responsibility and address these important issues to protect national interests. He stressed the importance of transparency in the petroleum sector and called on the Tinubu administration to clarify the complexities surrounding the subsidy policy and petrol refining.
