The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, criticised the strategy in light of the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s claim that petrol subsidies will be eliminated.
Tinubu stated that “fuel subsidy is gone” in his inaugural speech on Monday.
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Former President Muhammadu Buhari made the decision in 2022, and it was supported by Tinubu, Atiku, and a number of other 2023 presidential hopefuls who hoped to bring a stop to the money-sucking subsidy system if they were elected.
But in a speech on Saturday in Bauchi State to PDP leaders elected in the most recent elections, Atiku objected to the choice, which some have called a policy action taken in a hurry.
He said;
Between 1999 and 2007, the PDP government initiated the petroleum subsidy removal and I chaired the committee. We achieved subsidy removal in two phases but only after providing palliatives to those most affected by the subsidy removal.
We have the experience as a party in government. That is what we would have done and not just announced subsidy removal without discussion with the affected sectors of the economy. I think Nigerians should appreciate what they have temporarily lost.
The acting National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, in his opening remarks at the retreat, said;
I want to reiterate, on the issue of the National Assembly, we have to know we are an opposition.
In order to remain relevant, we must work together as one family. That’s the only way you’ll be able to ensure that your relevance is being determined.
