By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s 30-day petrol discount as an inadequate response to years of economic hardship, saying Nigerians would hold the administration accountable in the 2027 general election.
Atiku argued that a temporary reduction in petrol prices could not reverse the rising cost of food, transportation, electricity and business operations, insisting that Nigerians needed lasting relief rather than what he described as an election-season palliative.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Friday, the former Vice President accused Tinubu of adopting the principle behind his proposed production subsidy after previously dismissing it, but failing to implement the policy’s essential safeguards.
“Thirty days cannot erase three and a half years of hardship. Nigerians have heard your excuses and endured your failed promises. They are ready to judge your record,” Atiku said.
He challenged the President to explain what would happen after the discount expired and whether transport fares and the cost of moving agricultural produce and running businesses would actually fall.
“When I proposed targeted support to ease fuel costs, you called me ignorant of economic policy. Your government said it could not be done. Now, in a desperate and clumsy retreat, you have shamelessly embraced the principle you mocked. You owe me an apology,” he said.
Atiku said his proposal would support petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold locally, with government assistance capped, budgeted and independently audited, while excluding imported products.
“My alternative is clear. Support petroleum products actually refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians. Cap the support. Put it in the budget. Audit it independently. Exclude imports. Show the public what it costs and what they save,” he said.
He also called for measures to make food affordable, restore reliable electricity, create jobs, expand business opportunities and secure roads and farms, arguing that economic recovery must translate into tangible improvements in household welfare.
Turning to the campaign council, Atiku charged members to take the ADC’s message to markets, motor parks, farms, campuses and communities, explain the party’s proposed policies and demonstrate how they would be funded.
He described the 2027 election as a contest over the welfare of Nigerian families and urged eligible voters to mobilise behind the opposition party.
“Another four years of Bola Tinubu means another four years of hunger, hardship and national decline,” he said.
Atiku also demanded electoral reforms to protect votes, including immediate public access to polling-unit results, live broadcasts of state and national collation centres, and independent audits of election technology before and after elections.
He called for an independent commission to investigate and prosecute electoral offences, as well as stronger penalties for vote suppression, result tampering and fraud.
The ADC candidate further accused APC-controlled governments of restricting opposition campaigns, citing an attempt to prevent an opposition candidate from campaigning in Benue State.
“There will be no ‘no-go’ areas in Nigeria. Opposition members are citizens with the constitutional right to move freely, express their views and campaign anywhere in the country,” he said.
He vowed that the ADC would campaign across the country and resist attempts to prevent its candidates from reaching voters, saying the party would defend its rights through lawful means.
In a challenge to Tinubu, Atiku urged the President to resign, arguing that the 30-day petrol discount could not erase the administration’s record on the economy.
“After this latest admission of failure, the honourable thing to do is step down. Nigerians deserve a government that will do the work and make life affordable again,” he said.
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