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Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of adopting his proposed production subsidy model but allegedly stripping it of the key elements needed to provide meaningful economic relief to Nigerians.
Atiku made the allegation on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, while reacting to the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount.
“You copied my production subsidy proposal, stripped away the part that makes it work, and handed Nigerians a 30-day discount,” Atiku said.
The former vice president recalled that he had offered to share his economic relief plan with Tinubu in the national interest during a recent press conference, but argued that the government’s response fell short of the broader intervention he had proposed.
“I am glad you have finally acknowledged the failure of your approach. I offered a plan because Nigerians’ welfare matters more to me,” he said.
Atiku described the petrol discount as inadequate, arguing that a temporary reduction in fuel prices could not compensate for the rising cost of living experienced by Nigerians over the preceding three and a half years.
“Now you offer a N50 petrol discount for 30 days and expect applause for returning a fraction of what Nigerians have lost? How can you make daily life unbearable for years and expect one month of token relief to wipe the record clean?” he asked.
Beyond economic concerns, Atiku called for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, including allowing political parties and election observers to verify results, live broadcasts of state and national collation proceedings, and independent audits of electoral technology before and after elections.
He also advocated the establishment of an independent commission to investigate and prosecute electoral offences.
“These are not threats to democracy; they are safeguards for the people’s mandate,” he said.
Chairman of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the 2027 elections to remove the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power.
“Collect your voter’s card. Go out early. Stay until the result is counted and posted. Guard your vote with your eyes, not with your fists, because a peaceful people in their millions cannot be rigged out of their own country,” Ibrahim-Imam said.
ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, charged members of the campaign council to intensify grassroots mobilisation by taking the party’s message to every state, local government area, ward and community.
He urged campaign officials to engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths, workers, farmers, professionals, traders, artisans, students and persons living with disabilities, stressing the need to listen to citizens and earn their confidence.
Mark said the campaign should prioritise issues affecting Nigerians, including the rising cost of living, poverty, economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, food prices, education, healthcare, infrastructure, inflation, good governance and the rule of law.
“Nigerians already know their problems. We do not need to lecture them about their sufferings,” he added.
The inauguration marks another step in the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, as opposition figures seek to challenge the APC-led administration over economic management, living costs and electoral credibility.
The removal of petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration in May 2023 triggered significant increases in fuel prices and transportation costs, contributing to broader concerns over inflation and household purchasing power.
Successive government interventions and proposals by opposition figures have since focused on ways to ease the burden on households and businesses.
The debate over petrol pricing and economic relief is expected to remain a major issue as political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku’s latest remarks also place economic policy alongside electoral reform as central themes in the ADC’s emerging political campaign.
