RismadarVoice Reporters
October 20, 2026
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his refusal to reconsider the removal of fuel subsidy, accusing the administration of worsening economic hardship and failing to adequately address insecurity and police welfare.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
The statement followed Tinubu’s declaration on Monday that Nigeria would not return to the previous petrol subsidy arrangement, which he compared to asking the biblical Moses to return to Egypt.
Speaking at an event organised by the City Boy Movement, the President defended his decision to remove the subsidy in May 2023, arguing that continuing the payments would have placed an unsustainable burden on government finances.
However, Atiku rejected the comparison, insisting that the administration’s economic policies had increased the financial difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians.
“Bola, you are the Egypt Nigerians are desperate to escape,” Atiku declared.
He accused the President of celebrating the subsidy removal while households continued to struggle with rising transportation costs, food prices and other essential expenses.
The former vice-president proposed targeted financial support for petroleum products refined and sold within Nigeria as an alternative to restoring the previous subsidy arrangement.
According to him, such support should be limited, budgeted and independently audited to ensure that any financial benefit reaches consumers through lower fuel prices.
He maintained that imported petroleum products should not qualify for the proposed intervention.
Beyond economic concerns, Atiku criticised the government’s response to insecurity, arguing that the administration must accept responsibility for addressing killings, kidnappings and attacks occurring under its leadership.
He rejected suggestions that the challenges could be excused by the security record of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Atiku also cited the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, arguing that effective responses to insecurity depended on leadership decisions rather than military experience.
Turning to police welfare, the ADC candidate recounted an encounter with a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly disclosed receiving a monthly pension of ₦29,000.
He described the figure as inadequate and called for improvements in the salaries, healthcare and retirement benefits of serving and retired police personnel.
Atiku further urged the President to address concerns surrounding the proposed Police Exit Bill and strengthen welfare arrangements for officers responsible for protecting lives and property.
The former vice-president maintained that affordable energy, improved security and better treatment of police personnel should remain priorities for the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has consistently defended the subsidy removal as a necessary economic reform, arguing that reversing the decision would undermine efforts to stabilise public finances.
The exchange highlights growing disagreements between the ruling APC and opposition figures over economic management, security and welfare policies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
