You’re The Egypt – Atiku Replies Tinubu On Fuel Subsidy Comment

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his insistence on fuel subsidy stoppage for Nigerians.

Politics Nigeria reports that the former vice president accused the president of ignoring the hardship citizens have faced since the policy was removed.

Atiku said Tinubu’s comparison of calls for subsidy restoration to asking Moses to return to Egypt showed his insensitivity to the economic difficulties confronting millions of Nigerians.

Tinubu had ruled out reversing the subsidy removal, arguing that the country could not afford to return to the policy without risking bankruptcy.

The president spoke on Monday during a meeting with members of the City Boy Movement, a youth-driven political and advocacy group established to promote his administration’s agenda.

Tinubu said he removed the subsidy on his first day in office because the government lacked the resources to sustain the payments.

“I came, and I removed the subsidy on my first day. Nigeria would have gone bankrupt; there was nothing left to pay for subsidies,” he said.

He also criticised opposition politicians promising to restore the policy, insisting that his administration would not reverse the decision.

Drawing from religious teachings, Tinubu likened a return to fuel subsidy to asking Moses to return to Egypt after leading the Israelites out of captivity.

“I remember my scripture studies, both in the Bible and the Holy Quran. When Moses (Musa) left Egypt, the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt. With your energy and support, we will never go back to Egypt,” the president said.

However, Atiku, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the analogy demonstrated the president’s failure to understand the suffering caused by rising fuel prices.

Atiku accused Tinubu of celebrating the removal of the subsidy while millions of Nigerians struggle with the cost of food, transportation and business operations.

“Bola, you are the Egypt Nigerians are desperate to escape. You celebrate the day you made fuel more expensive, then lecture families struggling to pay for food and transport about why they must never go back,” he said.

The former vice-president argued that Nigerians needed practical solutions to the rising cost of living rather than religious analogies to justify the government’s economic policies.

He also outlined his proposed approach to fuel subsidy, saying he would introduce limited and budgeted support for verified petroleum products refined locally and sold to Nigerians.

Under the proposal, imported fuel would not qualify for the support, while independent auditors would monitor the expenditure to ensure that consumers benefit through lower pump prices.

Atiku said the measure would be considered unsuccessful if it failed to reduce the prices paid by consumers.

Beyond the economy, the ADC presidential candidate accused Tinubu of failing to adequately address insecurity across the country.

He said Nigerians expected the president to protect vulnerable communities, rescue abducted citizens and ensure that people could travel, farm and conduct their businesses without fear of attacks.

Atiku also rejected attempts to attribute the security challenges entirely to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He cited former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as an example, arguing that effective leadership, rather than military background, was essential to addressing insecurity.

The ADC candidate further criticised the welfare of serving and retired police officers, claiming that inadequate salaries and pensions had worsened their living conditions.

He cited the account of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who allegedly told him he received N29,000 monthly in retirement benefits.

Atiku called on Tinubu to act on the Police Exit Bill and review the salaries of serving police officers, alongside improvements to their healthcare and retirement benefits.

He argued that officers tasked with protecting Nigerians should not have to struggle to provide for their families or face financial uncertainty after retirement.

Atiku concluded that Nigerians deserved affordable living conditions, improved security and better welfare for security personnel, insisting that Tinubu must take responsibility for the challenges facing the country.

“Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again,” he said.