Oshiomhole Fires Back At Atiku Over Fuel Subsidy Promise, Recalls Former Position

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his proposal to restore a form of petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Oshiomhole questioned the former vice president’s current position on fuel subsidy, recalling that Atiku had previously explained to him why the government needed to remove the policy when Oshiomhole was president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Speaking during an interview with TVC, Oshiomhole said Atiku had previously made a case for the removal of petroleum subsidy, although he noted that he disagreed with the argument at the time.

The former Edo State governor argued that Atiku’s present position appeared to differ from the stance he had taken in the past. Atiku has, however, maintained that his proposed intervention would focus on supporting petroleum products refined domestically and sold within Nigeria, with spending limits and accountability measures.

Oshiomhole also referred to Atiku’s earlier proposal to privatise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, questioning how such an arrangement would work if the government continued to determine the price at which privately produced petroleum products would be sold.

He argued that private ownership and continued government control over product pricing could create policy contradictions.

“Atiku Abubakar himself, in his quiet moment, will laugh at himself. Don’t forget, I was the president of the NLC, and as vice president, Atiku lectured me about the waste of petroleum subsidy and why it is necessary to remove it, except that I disagree with them,” Oshiomhole said.

He further recalled Atiku’s position on privatising NNPC, asking how the government could transfer an entity to private ownership while still dictating how its products should be sold.

The debate comes as fuel subsidy has become a prominent issue in the 2027 presidential contest. Atiku has repeatedly defended his proposal, saying his planned intervention would be targeted at locally refined petroleum products rather than a return to the previous import-based subsidy arrangement.

Oshiomhole’s comments add to the growing political debate over the future of fuel pricing, subsidy policy and the management of Nigeria’s petroleum sector ahead of the 2027 election.