Atiku Tells Tinubu: Take My Idea, Lower Petrol Price, Take the Credit

 

By Abel Chigozie 

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent measures to reduce petrol prices and ease the rising cost of living across Nigeria.

Atiku made the call on Friday, September 18, 2026, while addressing Nigerians on fuel prices, government palliatives and the worsening pressure on households, workers, farmers and businesses. 

He argued that the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, had contributed to increased transportation, food, logistics and production costs, with the burden eventually being transferred to Nigerian households.

According to him, rising petrol prices affect virtually every aspect of economic activity because farmers spend more to transport produce, traders pay more to stock their businesses, workers spend more commuting and manufacturers face higher energy and logistics costs.

Atiku said the effectiveness of economic reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on the purchasing power and living standards of ordinary Nigerians.

> “Economic growth must enter the home. It must enter the market basket. It must show up in the purchasing power of the worker.”

He also criticised what he described as an overreliance on palliatives, arguing that temporary assistance such as food distribution and cash transfers cannot replace policies that address the underlying causes of economic hardship.

“Palliatives manage pain. Good policy addresses the source of the pain,” Atiku said.

‘Tinubu should take the idea’

The former vice president urged Tinubu to consider government intervention aimed at reducing petrol prices, saying the President should not reject an idea simply because it was proposed by a political opponent.

Atiku said Tinubu could rename the proposal and take credit for implementing it, stressing that his priority was for Nigerians to pay less for petrol.

> “What matters to me is that Nigerians pay less. A sensible idea does not become a bad idea because it came from your opponent.”

He further offered to provide the Federal Government with his policy framework and technical input if they could help reduce the burden on Nigerians.

According to Atiku, Nigerians should not have to wait for another administration to benefit from a policy that could provide relief under the current government.

Atiku warns over electricity costs

Atiku also expressed concern about the planned phase-out of electricity subsidies from 2027, warning that households and businesses were already struggling with high electricity and alternative energy costs. 

He listed barbers, tailors, frozen-food sellers, welders and manufacturers among businesses whose operations depend heavily on electricity.

He urged the government not to repeat what he described as the experience of petrol subsidy removal by increasing energy costs before putting adequate measures in place to protect citizens.

> “The lesson of petrol must not be repeated with electricity.”

Atiku said the remaining months of Tinubu's administration could still be used to reduce the economic pressure on Nigerians.

“Eight months may sound short inside Aso Rock. But eight months is a very long time when you are living from hand to mouth,” he said.

Promises domestic fuel production subsidy if elected

Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, Atiku said that if elected, his administration would introduce a transparent production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians.

He explained that the proposed scheme would be designed to reduce production costs and ultimately lower prices for consumers while encouraging domestic refining.

Only petroleum products verified to have been refined in Nigeria would qualify under the proposed arrangement, while imported products would be excluded.

Atiku said the programme would operate with a fixed spending limit, require National Assembly approval and be subject to independent audits.

Using domestic rice production as an example, he said government support that lowers production costs could make products more affordable, increase demand, create jobs and strengthen links between farmers and processors.

The former vice president said his proposed fuel intervention would follow a similar principle by linking government support to domestic production.

Atiku concluded by saying that his political contest with Tinubu should not prevent either side from supporting measures that could improve Nigerians' welfare.

> “I am prepared to compete with you politically. But I will never compete with the welfare of the Nigerian people.”

He added: “Let Nigerians breathe.”