Atiku Dares Tinubu: 'Your Policies Made Life Expensive, I'll Make It Affordable'
By Tunde Okoro | Najia Pulse
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown down the gauntlet at President Bola Tinubu, declaring that the current cost-of-living crisis is not inherited but manufactured. In a fiery statement, Atiku listed skyrocketing prices for petrol, fertiliser, and cement as hard proof that the fuel subsidy removal has squeezed ordinary Nigerians dry.
Atiku, running on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket, didn't mince words. He pointed to fertiliser jumping from about N9,000 to N50,000, petrol leaping from roughly N199 to N1,400 per litre, and cement climbing from around N4,000 to N13,500. The naira, he noted, has tumbled from about N450 to N1,400 against the dollar. These aren't statistics, he argued. This is life as Nigerians live it every single day.
What is Atiku's production subsidy proposal?
Atiku's counter-punch is a production subsidy aimed at supporting locally made and refined goods. The goal is simple: boost supply so prices drop and consumers finally catch a break. He wants price monitoring to ensure government support actually reaches the people, not just corporate pockets.
He's not pulling this idea from thin air. Atiku cited the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN), which has backed domestic refining, and even pointed to US President Donald Trump's push to strengthen American petroleum production. His message? If America can protect its energy sector, why can't Nigeria?
What did Atiku say about Tinubu's policies?
Atiku didn't hold back. He accused the Tinubu administration of handing out waivers and incentives to multinational oil companies while ordinary citizens foot the bill. He painted a picture of a frozen-food seller in Kubwa, Abuja, who now spends more on transport and electricity while customers buy less or beg for credit. That, he said, creates a dangerous chain of unpaid debts rippling through retailers and suppliers.
“Tinubu did not inherit this cost-of-living crisis from Nigerians. His policies created and deepened it. He took away relief from the people, made fuel, food, transport and basic survival more expensive, and now wants Nigerians to applaud statistics while their pockets are empty.”
What has the ordinary Nigerian received?
Atiku's question cuts deep: after all this pain, what's the gain? He listed the failures: no reliable electricity, no security, no N-Power, expensive food, expensive transport. He challenged Tinubu's defenders to explain what exactly they are defending.
What is Atiku's message to Nigerians?
His closing rallying cry is bold and direct. “Enough of empty pockets. Enough of endless hardships. Nigeria must produce more, Nigerians must pay less, and families must have money left to live. Tinubu made life expensive. Atiku will make life affordable again.”
Atiku is betting that Nigerians are tired of the struggle and ready for a leader who puts their survival first. The question now is whether the people are listening.
FAQ
Why is Atiku criticising Tinubu's fuel subsidy removal?
Atiku says the removal has driven up costs for petrol, fertiliser, and cement, making basic survival harder for Nigerians. He argues that targeted production subsidies, not blanket removal, would ease the burden.
What is a production subsidy?
A production subsidy is government support aimed at boosting local manufacturing and refining. The goal is to increase supply, lower prices, and ensure consumers benefit from cheaper goods.
Who is CORAN?
CORAN is the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria. It has called for government support for domestic refining to strengthen Nigeria's energy independence.