{
  "id": 2179703,
  "title": "Wike defends subsidy removal, slams Atiku over u-turn on policy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/wike-defends-subsidy-removal-slams-atiku-over-u-turn-on-policy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T17:02:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/wike-defends-subsidy-removal-slams-atiku-over-u-turn-on-policy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike defended the removal of fuel subsidies on Thursday, criticizing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for changing his position on the policy. Wike accused Atiku, whom he referred to as a \"voodoo economist,\" of contradicting himself to appeal to voters. The minister questioned Atiku's ability to reintroduce fuel subsidies given the reforms in Nigeria's petroleum industry, including the commercialisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. Wike argued that maintaining fuel subsidies would contradict the direction of the Petroleum Industry Act, potentially weakening investor confidence and encouraging inefficiency. He urged Atiku to explain how he would deploy the savings from subsidy removal. Wike defended President Bola Tinubu's subsidy removal policy, stating that the savings led to increased allocations to the three tiers of government and improved governments' ability to meet salary and pension obligations. He dismissed claims of increased armed robbery in Abuja, stating that security reports did not support the allegation.",
  "summary": "FCT Minister Nyesom Wike defends the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal, criticising Atiku Abubakar’s inconsistency on the policy. Read More: https://punchng.com/wike-defends-subsidy-removal-slams-atiku-over-u-turn-on-policy/",
  "key_points": [
    "Wike defends fuel subsidy removal, criticizes Atiku's policy flip-flop",
    "Atiku accused of contradicting himself to win votes",
    "Wike questions Atiku's ability to reintroduce subsidies given industry reforms"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Wike defends subsidy removal, slams Atiku over u-turn on policy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/wike-defends-subsidy-removal-slams-atiku-over-u-turn-on-policy-2184069",
        "published": "2026-08-20T17:26:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}