Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has publicly accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of misleading foreign countries about the removal of the fuel subsidy in Nigeria. In a strongly-worded statement issued on Sunday, Atiku claimed that Tinubu, during his visits to the FMDQ in New York, Qatar, and France, falsely asserted that the fuel subsidy had been eliminated.
Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s Vice-President, voiced his concerns through a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. He warned that Tinubu’s misrepresentations could deter Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria, further exacerbating the country’s economic challenges.
Despite Tinubu’s claims, Atiku pointed out that petrol scarcity remains a persistent issue in Nigeria. He also criticised the Tinubu administration for maintaining what he described as a fraudulent subsidy regime, citing the financial statement recently released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
“Tinubu visited the FMDQ in New York, Qatar, and France, where he told lies about removing petrol subsidies. Obviously, this is not a man who is serious about attracting FDI. More worrisome is that he is not even brave enough to admit that subsidy is being paid,” Atiku stated.
He further highlighted concerns over the substantial financial obligations still owed by the government, referencing the N7.8 trillion debt to the NNPCL. Atiku also mentioned that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates subsidy payments this year to constitute 3% of Nigeria’s GDP, amounting to approximately $7.5 billion or N11.8 trillion.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
