Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately implement a targeted government intervention to crash pump prices for premium motor spirit (petrol) and diesel, declaring that political pride should not stand in the way of economic relief for citizens.
Speaking on Friday, September 18, 2026, during a world press conference held at his private residence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the former Vice President urged President Tinubu to utilize the remaining eight months of his current term to reverse rising living costs and cushion the financial burden on Nigerian households and businesses.
Directly confronting earlier pushback from Aso Rock, Atiku reminded President Tinubu that governance should prioritize human welfare over political point-scoring.
”Bola Tinubu should not be ashamed to do what is necessary to lower the price of petrol simply because Atiku Abubakar proposed a government intervention,” Atiku stated. “He should just take the idea, rename it if he wishes, and even take the credit. 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 noted that when he originally advised the administration to adopt structured fuel price interventions, President Tinubu dismissed the proposal as demonstrating “serious ignorance” of governance.
”Is the Nigeria Labour Congress also ignorant when it calls for urgent intervention to cushion workers?” Atiku asked. “Are petroleum marketers ignorant when they call for policies that strengthen domestic refining and help moderate pump prices? Leadership requires the humility to confront the consequences of policy and the courage to change course.”
Addressing the technical details of his proposal, Atiku explained that his framework does not advocate for unmonitored consumption subsidies or opaque fuel import clearances. Instead, he proposed a transparent production subsidy targeted strictly at petroleum products refined domestically within Nigeria.
Through his media spokesperson, Paul Ibe, and during the press briefing, the former Vice President’s team outlined key pillars of the proposed intervention which include:-
Domestic Support will be tied directly to crude oil barrels supplied to domestic refiners at discounted rates, entirely excluding imported fuel products.
Price Monitoring & Audits: The policy would include statutory spending limits, mandatory National Assembly oversight, and routine independent audits.
Drawing a parallel to domestic rice milling support, the strategy aims to slash refining overheads so reduced production costs naturally translate into lower pump prices for everyday commuters.
”If your government requires policy ideas or technical input on how to bring relief, I am prepared to make mine available,” Atiku offered. “If you need the framework, I will provide it. Implement it under your government. Give it whatever name you choose. Take the credit. I ask for only one thing: Let Nigerians breathe.”
The proposal generated swift pushback from the administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reacting to the blueprint, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Digital and New Media, Otega Ogra, questioned the economic viability of the proposal during a television appearance, estimating that a blanket return to crude discounts and price interventions could cost the federation upwards of ₦19.1 trillion annually.
Ogra argued that the opposition’s plan lacked concrete spending caps and clear volume metrics, warning it could destabilize state revenues.
Simultaneously, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, characterized the call as a political stunt aimed at regaining relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections, asserting that the administration’s long-term market reforms remain the only sustainable path to economic stability.
Undeterred by the presidency’s response, Atiku reiterated that election contests must be separated from public survival: “I am prepared to compete with you politically. But I will never compete with the welfare of the Nigerian people. The presidency may be contested; the wellbeing of Nigerians should never be.”
