APC Fires Back At Atiku Over Petrol Subsidy Plan, Demands Concrete Figures

The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and African Democratic Congress (ADC) spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi over their opposition to the removal of the petrol subsidy and suggestions that it could be restored in 2027.

Morka made the remarks during an interview on Arise News while responding to comments by Atiku and Abdullahi on the country’s fuel pricing policy and the possibility of reintroducing petrol subsidies if their political camp takes power.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the APC spokesman accused the former vice-president and Abdullahi of failing to properly appreciate the economic implications of restoring the subsidy.

Morka argued that subsidy payments would place a significant financial burden on the Federal Government and insisted that anyone proposing its return should explain how the policy would be funded.

He challenged Atiku to provide specific figures and a clear financing plan for any proposed subsidy regime instead of making what he described as broad political promises.

Morka questioned whether the former vice-president intended to rely on the country’s foreign reserves to finance petrol subsidies, describing such an approach as economically unsustainable.

The APC spokesman also argued that petrol prices are influenced by international market conditions, particularly global crude oil prices and other factors affecting the energy market.

He maintained that discussions about fuel pricing should therefore consider broader economic realities rather than present government intervention as a straightforward solution to rising pump prices.

Defending President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, Morka said the administration inherited several longstanding economic challenges and was working to address them through its reform programme.

He also pointed to Atiku’s political history, noting that the former vice-president was a prominent figure during the years the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled the Federal Government.

Morka argued that Nigerians would assess Atiku’s economic record alongside the performance of the Tinubu administration when considering competing political positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC spokesman further referenced past comments attributed to Atiku regarding spending in the power sector, alleging that the former vice-president had acknowledged that about $16 billion was spent without the expected electricity infrastructure being delivered.

Morka said such past issues should form part of the broader conversation about economic management and governance as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.

He maintained that Nigerians would ultimately decide which economic policies offer a more sustainable path for the country and determine whether the Tinubu administration’s reforms have produced the desired results.