Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has accused the Bola Tinubu administration of secretly diverting public funds through the petrol subsidy,Daily Trust reports.
Atiku argued that the administration’s refusal to disclose the amount spent on subsidies suggests funds are being covertly redirected.
This statement came in response to the Presidency’s assertion that its fuel subsidy policy remains unchanged.
On Thursday, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga reiterated that the fuel subsidy regime had ended and denied reports that N5.4 trillion was being provisioned for it in 2024.
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In response, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, stated, “Tinubu has brought the shady nature of running Lagos to the federal level. He claims the subsidy is gone, but his Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen, says they are intervening from time to time, and his Finance Minister, Wale Edun, described subsidy removal as an ‘ongoing process.’”
Atiku pointed out that a document from the Coordinating Minister of the Economy detailing subsidy payments is now being denied by its authors.
He also highlighted that both the World Bank and IMF have reported that Nigeria is still paying petrol subsidies, despite the Tinubu administration’s claims to the contrary. A senior member of the APC had also revealed ongoing subsidy payments.
Atiku remarked, “For a man who claims to be on a mission to attract foreign direct investment, it is ironic that he cannot see that his policy flip-flops and lies are capable of dissuading investors. He must come clean on this subsidy issue since he doubles as petroleum minister.”
He urged the Tinubu administration to take full responsibility for their policies and actions, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
Atiku also called on the National Assembly to investigate the matter, criticizing them for focusing on frivolous issues instead.
“The National Assembly needs to be alive to its responsibilities, especially in the area of oversight. Posterity will not be kind to members of the National Assembly if they continue to look the other way while daylight robbery is taking place,” he stated.
