Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the rising cost of living.
Atiku, presidential candidate of the African Democratic
Congress (ADC), said in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, director of
strategic communication of his campaign council, that economic reforms should
not leave Nigerians struggling to afford both food and transportation.
The former vice-president said families were skipping meals,
struggling with transport costs and seeing their earnings depleted before the
end of the month.
Atiku said Tinubu’s Independence Day address showed what he
described as a disconnect between the government’s economic messaging and the
daily reality of Nigerians.
He also criticised the president’s description of fuel
subsidies as “addictive” and challenged his claim that salaries and pensions
were being paid “on time and in full”.
ATIKU CITES GERMANY’S FUEL TAX CUTS
Atiku contrasted Nigeria’s approach with Germany’s decision
to reduce taxes on petrol and diesel to shield households from rising costs.
According to the ADC presidential candidate, Germany reduced
gasoline and diesel taxes by €0.17 per litre from October to December at an
estimated cost of €2.5 billion, with pump prices beginning to fall.
Atiku said the move showed that governments could intervene
when fuel costs put pressure on households.
“When petrol becomes more expensive, transport becomes more
expensive. When transport costs rise, food and other essentials cost more,” he
said.
“The hardship follows Nigerians from the filling station to
the market and into their homes. Germany understands that when fuel prices put
families under pressure, the government must act. Nigerians deserve the same
compassion and urgency.”
Atiku said his proposed approach would restore targeted and
budgeted support for refined petrol in Nigeria, with strict auditing and
measures to ensure the benefit translates into lower pump prices.
He said the support would apply to locally refined fuel and
would exclude imported petroleum products.
“Support will follow the barrel refined here, creating jobs
here and easing costs for Nigerians,” he stated.
Atiku said the scheme would be funded by cutting waste and
protected against diversion and price manipulation.
He said lower fuel costs could translate into cheaper
transport, more affordable goods and increased disposable income for
households.
The former vice-president expressed sympathy for Nigerians
struggling with the rising cost of living and said the government should do
more to cushion the impact of its reforms.
“To every Nigerian forced to choose between feeding a
family, paying for transport or meeting another basic need, I am deeply sorry.
You did not deserve this hardship,” he said.
Atiku said the administration had described the difficulties
as the price of reform but argued that economic policies should ultimately
improve the living conditions of citizens.
“Tinubu made life unbearably expensive and called your
suffering the price of reform. I will make life affordable again,” he added.
He said his proposed approach would focus on producing fuel
locally, creating jobs, and reducing the cost of living for Nigerians.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com