Senator Adams Oshiomhole has questioned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s decision to campaign on restoring petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Oshiomhole, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), recalled his interactions with Atiku when the latter was vice-president and said the former vice-president had previously argued that petroleum subsidy was wasteful and should be removed.
The former Edo State governor made the comments during an interview with TVC on Tuesday while responding to Atiku’s current position on petrol subsidy.
“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.
Oshiomhole also referred to Atiku’s position during the 2023 election period, when the former vice-president advocated the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“Remember, Atiku is on record, just in 2023, as saying that he will privatise NNPC. You don’t have that tape? He even added that even if they kill him. I don’t know why he needs to die because he wants to privatise NNPC,” he said.
The senator questioned how privatising the national oil company would work alongside government intervention in the price of petroleum products.
“So can you privatise something in private hands, and yet dictate to the new owner how to sell the product that he produces?” Oshiomhole asked.
Atiku’s Current Subsidy Position
Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has repeatedly said he would restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027.
He has argued that the policy could provide relief to Nigerians facing high transportation and living costs. Atiku has also said the subsidy he proposes would not necessarily replicate the previous system and has spoken about supporting domestic refining and reducing the cost of petroleum products.
Atiku has maintained that his position on subsidy has not changed and has said an intervention would be aimed at easing economic pressure on households and businesses.
Oshiomhole, however, argued that Atiku’s current position should be examined alongside his earlier statements and policies on subsidy and the petroleum sector.
The disagreement has become part of the wider economic policy debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with political actors offering different approaches to fuel pricing, domestic refining and the cost of living.
