Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, over his previous place on gasoline subsidy elimination. Olayinka questioned Atiku’s stance throughout an interview on TVC News’ *Beyond The Headlines* on Thursday,……
Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, over his previous place on gasoline subsidy elimination.
Olayinka questioned Atiku’s stance throughout an interview on TVC News’ *Beyond The Headlines* on Thursday, October 22, whereas discussing opposition events’ arguments forward of the 2027 presidential election.
He recalled that Atiku had described gasoline subsidy as fraudulent in 2022 and pledged to take away it if elected president.
“The only thing that he could tell Nigerians now is that he will stop subsidy?” Olayinka questioned.
He added, “And this is somebody in 2022 that told Nigerians that subsidy is a fraud.”
Reiterating the previous vice-president’s reported place, Olayinka stated, “Subsidy is a fraud. That if he’s elected, he will remove subsidy.”
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He questioned what had modified since Atiku made the assertion, asking, “So if he did say subsidy was a fraud in 2022, so what has happened so far now?”
In 2022, Atiku Abubakar, the then presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he would interact collectors to hunt “cancellation or forgiveness” to handle the nation’s international debt profile.
Abubakar stated this on Tuesday on the Lagos Business School 2022 alumni day, whereas talking on a spread of financial points in Nigeria, in addition to his restoration plan for the nation if elected president.
He additionally described the controversial petrol subsidy as a “fraud” and pledged to scrap it.
“I used to be the chairman for the elimination of the gasoline subsidy committee and I recall how we eliminated section 1 and section 2 of the gasoline subsidy. I’ll proceed from the place we stopped, take away gasoline subsidy completely and channel the subsidy funds again into the financial system. In different phrases, it’s only a fraud.
“If you are talking about foreign debt, we have done it before, I will engage our creditors and ask for debt forgiveness or cancellation like we did before. Coming to local debt, if we stabilise the economy, we will borrow less, and propose a flexible payment plan,” he stated.
However, in August 2026, Atiku modified his place and has promised to revive gasoline subsidies if elected President within the 2027 common elections.
According to Dauily Trust, Atiku said this throughout a Hausa-speaking interview on the PAP present, saying anybody who had stolen funds meant for gasoline subsidy can be made to return the cash if he assumes workplace.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money?” Atiku stated.
The presidential candidate pledged to reverse the coverage if he defeats Tinubu within the January 2027 presidential election.
He added, “If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money. Now it has been removed. Where is the money? If the funds were used to improve healthcare, education, insecurity, security and youth empowerment, things would have been better.”
Tinubu introduced the top of petrol subsidy throughout his inauguration on May 29, 2023, describing the scheme as unsustainable.
