President Bola Tinubu has criticised calls by one of his political opponents to reverse the removal of fuel subsidy, describing the proposal as a demonstration of ignorance about governance and Nigeria’s economic realities.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday while receiving Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who paid a thank-you visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President was reacting to a proposal by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
“I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is a demonstration of serious ignorance on governance and the economy,” Tinubu said.
The President defended his administration’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, saying the policy was necessary to address the severe financial difficulties confronting state governments when he assumed office.
“Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to talk of pensioners. Workers were owed salaries, while state governments depended on the Federal Government and were unable to do much,” he said.
Tinubu’s comments come amid renewed political debate over the removal of petrol subsidy ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures criticising some of the economic reforms implemented by his administration.
Atiku has said he would restore the subsidy regime if elected, setting the stage for a major policy debate over the future of fuel pricing and economic reforms under the next administration.
Tinubu, however, maintained that reversing the policy would amount to a failure to understand the economic circumstances that necessitated the reform.