African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Austin Okai, has asserted that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dealt a significant blow to President Bola Tinubu’s administration with his position on the possible restoration of fuel subsidy.
NEWSNGR reports that Okai, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, said the controversy was not merely about whether fuel subsidy should be restored, but also about accountability, transparency, and the policy’s impact on Nigerians.
Okai noted that responses from the Presidency, ministers, and other government officials to Atiku’s position show that the issue has touched important political and economic nerves within Tinubu’s administration.
He challenged the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with a comprehensive account of the financial gains from subsidy removal, including the amount saved, how the funds were deployed, and the specific projects and programmes financed with the savings.
According to him, Nigerians should be able to see tangible benefits from the policy, particularly against the backdrop of rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of living.
He argued that the debate over the future of fuel subsidy should be guided by economic realities and the welfare of Nigerians, not partisan considerations.
He said, “Atiku has dealt a significant political blow to the Tinubu administration by reopening the conversation on fuel subsidy. The question Nigerians are asking is simple: if subsidy was removed and the government has consistently spoken about the enormous savings generated, where exactly have those savings gone?
“Tinubu has responded. Ministers are responding. Presidential aides are reacting. This level of response shows that the issue has touched a very important political and economic nerve within the administration.
“The Nigerian people are not asking for propaganda. They are asking for accountability. They want to know what happened to the money saved from subsidy removal and why, despite the promised benefits, millions of Nigerians are still struggling with unprecedented economic hardship.
“Whether subsidy should be restored, redesigned or permanently removed is a matter that must be determined by sound economic reasoning, transparency and the welfare of the people. Nigerians deserve a policy that reduces hardship, protects vulnerable citizens and strengthens the economy.”
