President Tinubu Rejects Atiku's Petrol Subsidy Restoration Pledge

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for pledging to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. During a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on August 20, Tinubu described the proposal as a "demonstration of serious ignorance about governance and the economy," arguing that subsidy removal was necessary because 27 states were unable to pay salaries and pensions prior to the policy change.

The Nigerian Presidency and the All Progressives Congress further condemned the pledge, which Atiku made during a Hausa-language interview and Facebook Live session. The Presidency asserted that the Petroleum Industry Act made the subsidy regime illegal as of June 2023 and denied Atiku's claim of a N30 trillion subsidy windfall, stating that N15 trillion has instead been used to stabilize the three tiers of government.

These remarks occurred while Tinubu hosted the re-elected Governor of Osun State, who visited to present his Certificate of Return following the August 15 election. Tinubu congratulated the governor, stating the victory confirmed the confidence of the people of Osun State, and urged him to prioritize reconciliation and the rule of law over political retaliation. While Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume praised the president for not interfering in the electoral process, Oluwole Oke of the APC governorship campaign committee rejected the election results.