Tinubu: Atiku’s proposal to bring back subsidy shows serious ignorance of economy
President Bola Tinubu says former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president shows “serious ignorance of governance and economy”.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday while addressing Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, who visited him at the State House in Abuja.
On Wednesday, Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said he would restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Atiku said the Tinubu administration has failed to account for the funds saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy since May 29, 2023.
The Tinubu-led government has constantly touted the petrol subsidy removal as one of the achievements of the administration.
Reacting to Atiku’s comment, the president said before he assumed office, some states struggled to pay salaries and pensions.
“Let’s look at the trajectory of the history. I saw one of my opponents, now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy,” he said.
Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers.”
The president said available resources should instead be channelled into quality roads, housing, education, and healthcare.
‘USE YOUR VICTORY TO UNITE OSUN’
Addressing Adeleke, the president asked the Osun governor to use his victory in the August 15 governorship election to promote reconciliation in his state.
Tinubu said Adeleke should not see his victory as a conquest over his opponents but as a mandate entrusted to him by the people.
“You did not conquer anybody. You won the election. That is the essence of democracy,” Tinubu said.
“All for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people. Not the way you sang it or celebrated it. It’s the way you act it.”