Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to step down, accusing his administration of worsening Nigeria’s economic hardship and failing to provide lasting relief for citizens.
Atiku described the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount as an inadequate response to the rising cost of living, arguing that a temporary reduction in fuel prices cannot make up for years of increasing food prices, transport fares and energy costs.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election made the remarks on Friday during the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. He also urged Nigerians to vote Tinubu out of office in January 2027.
According to Atiku, Nigerians continue to struggle with the cost of basic necessities, expensive transportation and the difficulty of running businesses amid unreliable electricity and rising operating costs.
He accused the Tinubu administration of demanding painful economic sacrifices from citizens without delivering sufficient improvements in their living conditions. He also questioned the timing of the petrol discount, suggesting that the government was attempting to gain political advantage from a temporary intervention after years of hardship.
ATIKU QUESTIONS WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER 30 DAYS
The former vice-president challenged the Federal Government to explain what would happen when the petrol discount expires, particularly for commuters, farmers, traders and manufacturers who depend on fuel to conduct their daily activities.
He argued that a short-term reduction would not resolve the wider economic problems affecting Nigerians, including high food prices, rising transport costs and declining purchasing power.
Atiku also accused the Tinubu administration of adopting an idea similar to his proposed production subsidy for locally refined petroleum products after previously criticising the proposal.
He maintained that his plan would provide targeted support for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians, with clear limits, budgetary provisions and independent audits.
Unlike the government’s temporary intervention, he argued, his proposal would offer a more structured approach to easing fuel costs while supporting domestic refining.
Atiku further called for transparency in the implementation of the discount, including public disclosure of its total cost and the savings it would deliver. He insisted that any production subsidy under his proposal should exclude imported finished petroleum products.
ATIKU CALLS FOR BROADER ECONOMIC RELIEF
The ADC candidate said addressing Nigeria’s economic difficulties would require more than reducing petrol prices for a limited period.
He called for policies that would make food more affordable, improve electricity supply, create employment opportunities, strengthen security on roads and farmlands, and remove obstacles facing young entrepreneurs.
Atiku also urged members of the campaign council to take the party’s economic proposals to markets, motor parks, farms, universities and communities across the country.
He described the 2027 election as a rescue mission and encouraged eligible voters to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to demand a change in government.
He further criticised any attempt to restrict opposition parties from campaigning in parts of the country, saying the ADC would challenge such restrictions through lawful means.
ADC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL CRITICISES ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Earlier, the Chairman of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, described the council’s inauguration as the beginning of a political effort to address economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and the rising cost of living.
He cited food inflation, growing public debt and insecurity as evidence of what he described as the Tinubu administration’s shortcomings.
Ibrahim-Imam referenced figures attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics, placing food inflation in Adamawa State at 38.85 per cent in August 2026, followed by Zamfara at 37.96 per cent and Bayelsa at 36.20 per cent.
He also claimed that Nigeria’s public debt had increased from ₦87.38 trillion when Tinubu assumed office to ₦166.79 trillion as of 30 June 2026. He questioned whether the borrowing had translated into sufficient improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
The campaign chairman urged council members to mobilise voters nationwide and ensure that election results from polling units were properly protected and counted.
He also called on Nigerians to respond to Tinubu’s 2022 campaign slogan, “Emilokan”, with “Awalokan”, which he presented as a call for ordinary Nigerians to have their turn.
The campaign leadership additionally raised concerns about alleged intimidation of ADC members and restrictions on opposition activities, pledging to pursue lawful means to protect the party’s participation in the electoral process.
ATIKU DEMANDS TINUBU’S RESIGNATION
Atiku concluded by insisting that the proposed 30-day petrol discount could not erase the economic hardship Nigerians had experienced during Tinubu’s administration.
He argued that citizens deserved a government capable of reducing the cost of living and delivering meaningful improvements rather than relying on temporary measures.
The former vice-president therefore called on Tinubu to resign, maintaining that Nigerians would judge the administration by its record ahead of the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, the ADC campaign has continued to promote Atiku’s proposed production subsidy, which he says would support petroleum products refined locally, strengthen domestic refining and reduce dependence on imported finished fuel.
The Federal Government’s petrol discount and Atiku’s criticism have added to the political debate over fuel pricing, economic reforms and the best way to provide sustainable relief for Nigerians.
