RismadarVoice Reporters
September 19, 2026
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, has criticised African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over his call for President Bola Tinubu to reduce petrol prices and ease the cost-of-living burden on Nigerians.
Morka said Atiku had yet to present what he considered a clear alternative to the economic policies of the Tinubu administration. He made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
Atiku had earlier called on Tinubu to take immediate measures to reduce petrol prices, arguing that high energy and transportation costs were placing additional pressure on households, workers and businesses. He also warned against the planned phase-out of electricity subsidies from 2027.
Reacting, Morka said Atiku, as a presidential candidate, should explain the policies he would implement to address the country’s economic challenges rather than ask the current administration to adopt his proposals.
“The last I checked, the former Vice President is a candidate of a political party for the office of president. He should be telling Nigerians exactly what he plans to do to improve the lives of Nigerians,” Morka said.
He also questioned Atiku’s position on petrol subsidy removal, accusing the former Vice President of supporting its removal during the 2023 presidential campaign before later criticising the policy implemented by the Tinubu administration.
Atiku, however, said the Federal Government should be willing to adopt any measure capable of reducing the cost of living, regardless of who proposed it.
“A sensible idea does not become a bad idea because it came from your opponent,” Atiku said at his Abuja press briefing. He offered to make his policy framework available to the government and urged Tinubu to use the remaining period of his administration to provide relief to Nigerians.
The ADC candidate also proposed a transparent production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians if elected in 2027. He said the proposed intervention would have a fixed spending limit, require National Assembly approval and be subject to independent audits.
On electricity, Atiku warned that removing subsidies from 2027 could further increase pressure on households, small businesses and manufacturers already dealing with high electricity, diesel and alternative power costs.
Morka, in response, questioned Atiku’s record on the power sector during his tenure as Vice President, arguing that he had previously been in government and had an opportunity to address the country’s electricity challenges.
