Atiku to Tinubu: Stop Punishing Nigerians, Explain Why Petrol is Cheaper in Libya, Angola, Algeria, Others

Nigerian presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu, accusing the federal government of making life increasingly unaffordable for ordinary Nigerians. Atiku questioned why petrol remains cheaper in several oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, and Angola, despite Nigeria being one of Africa's leading crude producers.

The real issue, Atiku argued, is the crushing cost-of-living crisis that millions of households face. He demanded transparency over the use of N15.8 trillion subsidy removal proceeds and N34 trillion in import duty exemptions. Atiku pointed out that petrol costs about N1,400 per litre in Nigeria, compared to N778 per litre in Saudi Arabia, N872 in Kuwait, N475 in Algeria, and N441 in Angola.

This disparity, he said, makes Nigeria's people pay more for fuel that drives transportation, farming, food distribution, and manufacturing. He proposed a plan to reduce fuel costs through targeted support for Nigerian crude supplied to domestic refineries, tracking crude and refined products, and ensuring a consumer pass-through obligation to ensure benefits reach Nigerians at the pump.

Atiku dismissed concerns that a targeted intervention could threaten the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, workers' salaries, or the minimum wage, insisting it would provide structural relief for families. He also called for a comprehensive account of revenues and savings from petrol subsidy removal and greater transparency over Import Duty Exemption Certificate approvals.