President Bola Tinubu has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing the position as a demonstration of “serious ignorance on governance and economy.”

Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday at the State House in Abuja while receiving Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who visited the President following his victory in the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had on Wednesday said he would restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

The former vice-president also faulted the Tinubu administration over its handling of the funds saved from the removal of the subsidy, demanding accountability for the resources.
The Federal Government, however, has consistently defended the subsidy removal, describing it as a major economic reform and one of the key achievements of the Tinubu administration.

Reacting to Atiku’s position, Tinubu said reversing the subsidy removal would amount to returning to a policy that had placed significant pressure on the country’s finances.

“Let’s look at the trajectory of the history. I saw one of my opponents, now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy,” the President said.

Tinubu recalled the financial difficulties faced by several states before he assumed office, saying many could not meet their obligations to workers and pensioners.

“Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers,” he said.

The President argued that resources that would otherwise be spent on subsidising petrol should be redirected towards infrastructure and social development.

According to him, available resources should be invested in areas such as quality roads, housing, education and healthcare to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

Tinubu also used the occasion to advise Adeleke to approach his victory in the Osun governorship election with a sense of responsibility and reconciliation.

The President urged the governor not to regard his electoral victory as a conquest over his opponents, but as a mandate entrusted to him by the people of the state.
“You did not conquer anybody. You won the election. That is the essence of democracy,” Tinubu said.

He urged Adeleke to use his victory as an opportunity to unite the people of Osun and extend his administration’s reach beyond political divisions.

“All for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people. Not the way you sang it or celebrated it. It’s the way you act it,” the President said.

Tinubu’s remarks came amid renewed political debate over the future of petrol subsidy as political parties and presidential hopefuls begin to outline their economic policies ahead of the 2027 general elections.