{
  "id": 2454145,
  "title": "Subsidy: Your reforms worsening hardship, Atiku lashes at Tinubu",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/subsidy-your-reforms-worsening-hardship-atiku-lashes-at-tinubu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T23:58:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/subsidy-your-reforms-worsening-hardship-atiku-lashes-at-tinubu/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu's proposal to remove petrol subsidy, calling it economically ignorant. Atiku asserts that Tinubu's policies have worsened the cost-of-living crisis, despite increased government revenues. He argues that the current economic situation requires a reassessment of policies, rather than a return to the subsidy regime that preceded Tinubu's administration. Atiku's plan involves a targeted, temporary production-support mechanism to increase domestic refining and protect consumers from excessive price shocks. The former vice president accuses Tinubu's administration of imposing a rigid approach to subsidy removal, causing sharp rises in petrol prices, transportation costs, and food prices while the naira depreciated significantly. Atiku also challenges the Federal Government to explain the continuing petroleum under-recoveries and energy-security costs, totaling approximately ₦17.5tn, including ₦7.13tn in energy-security costs and ₦8.67tn. He argues that Nigerians are paying for the reforms through higher petrol prices and living expenses, while questions remain over the financial obligations associated with the petroleum sector.",
  "summary": "Atiku Abubakar criticizes President Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal, stating reforms worsen hardship despite increased revenue. He proposes a targeted produc Read More: https://punchng.com/subsidy-your-reforms-worsening-hardship-atiku-lashes-at-tinubu/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Atiku’s fuel subsidy pledge sparks debate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/atikus-fuel-subsidy-pledge-sparks-debate",
        "published": "2026-08-21T04:07:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Morning recap: States get N435bn for security, Atiku’s subsidy push opposed, other top stories",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/morning-recap-states-get-n435bn-for-security-atikus-subsidy-push",
        "published": "2026-08-21T06:16:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Atiku not proposing return to old fuel subsidy racket – Aide",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/atiku-not-proposing-return-to-old-fuel-subsidy-racket-aide",
        "published": "2026-08-21T06:45:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}