Atiku Shades Tinubu Over Alleged Continuation of Fuel Subsidy, Says His Administration Lacks Credibility

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for its alleged covert continuation of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), a move he described as emblematic of opaque governance.

In a statement posted on X, Atiku expressed concern over recent reports from credible media outlets, which suggest that despite President Tinubu’s public declaration that the subsidy regime had ended, the government has continued to fund it through less transparent means.

Atiku highlights the contradiction between the President’s national broadcast, made in response to #EndBadGovernance protests, and the ongoing subsidy payments, which he noted undermine the credibility of Tinubu’s administration.

“This dissonance between the President’s words and his actions not only undermines the moral fabric of his leadership but also significantly erodes the credibility of his administration,” Atiku wrote.

The former vice president also pointed to the severe fuel scarcity and rising energy costs that have plagued the nation, blaming the delays in the re-operation of the Port Harcourt refinery on Tinubu, who also serves as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

He termed the continued delay a “national disgrace” and squarely placed the responsibility on Tinubu.

Atiku further criticised the denial by NNPC Limited regarding the ongoing subsidy payments, arguing that they exacerbate the suffering of Nigerians already burdened by fuel shortages and inflation.

He voiced concerns over the contentious dispute between local investors advocating for refinery operations and those supporting the importation of PMS. He noted that the President’s silence on the matter is troubling.

“The veil of secrecy shrouding the downstream petroleum sector, coupled with alarming reports of NNPC Limited diverting funds intended for other purposes to cover subsidy payments, adds layers of confusion that are unbearably unsettling,” Atiku stated.

He warned that if these reports are accurate, they could have severe implications for the integrity of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism.

Atiku called on the Tinubu administration to urgently clarify its stance on the subsidy policy and the refining of PMS, emphasising that only through transparent governance can Nigerians hope to find relief from the current fuel scarcity and the spiralling inflation affecting petroleum products.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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