Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his promise to restore the fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Atiku made the pledge during an interview circulating on social media, where he faulted the economic impact of the subsidy removal under President Bola Tinubu.
The former vice president argued that Nigerians had yet to enjoy corresponding benefits from the funds saved following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
President Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy in his inaugural address in May 2023, a decision that triggered a sharp increase in fuel prices and contributed to higher transportation costs and rising prices of food and other essential goods.
Reacting to Atiku’s position while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Wike described the former vice president as confused and inconsistent on the subsidy issue.
According to the FCT minister, Atiku had promised during the 2022 presidential campaign to remove the subsidy if elected, but is now advocating its restoration ahead of the 2027 election.
Wike said political leaders must maintain consistency in their promises and positions when seeking the support of Nigerians.
“Atiku is confused. He said in 2022 that he was going to remove the subsidy, now in 2026 he wants to restore fuel subsidy. Are you going back to the fraud?” Wike said.
He added, “We need to be consistent in what we say to our people. That is what leadership is.
“Leadership is not you coming out in the morning to say a thing and come back in the afternoon to say a different thing.”