Atiku proposes support for locally refined petrol, attacks Tinubu over hardship

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has proposed targeted government support for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, as he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and handling of insecurity.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, said the measure would help reduce the burden of rising fuel prices on households without restoring the previous subsidy system for imported petrol.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said any support should be limited to verified petroleum products refined locally and sold to Nigerian consumers.
He proposed independent audits to track the funds and ensure that the benefits were reflected in pump prices, while imported fuel would be excluded from the scheme.
The former vice-president also accused Tinubu of being insensitive to the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, particularly the rising cost of food, transport and other essential goods following the removal of petrol subsidy.
Reacting to the President’s comparison of subsidy relief with a return to Egypt in the biblical story of Moses, Atiku said the analogy ignored the hardship experienced by households struggling to meet basic needs.
He argued that the administration should focus on making essential goods and services more affordable rather than defending policies that have increased living costs.
Atiku also challenged Tinubu’s handling of insecurity, insisting that the President must take responsibility for killings, kidnappings and attacks recorded during his administration instead of attributing the problems to the previous government.
He referred to comments by a Tinubu campaign official questioning what the President could do about insecurity when former President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired general, had failed to eliminate it.
Atiku countered that security challenges could not be excused by the shortcomings of a predecessor, citing former President Umaru Yar’Adua’s handling of insecurity despite not having a military background.
He said Nigerians expected the President to protect lives, rescue abducted citizens and restore the confidence of people who needed to travel, farm and work without fear.
The ADC candidate also raised concerns about the welfare of police personnel, citing the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who allegedly told him that he received a monthly pension of ₦29,000.
He further alleged that some serving officers were relying on their pension savings to support their families, and called on Tinubu to address police welfare through improved salaries, healthcare and retirement benefits.
Atiku urged the President to act on the Police Exit Bill and improve the conditions of service for officers responsible for protecting Nigerians.
He said affordable fuel, safer communities and better welfare for security personnel should be priorities for any government seeking public support.
The former vice-president maintained that the Tinubu administration needed to account for its economic and security record, adding that he would pursue policies aimed at reducing living costs if elected president.