Atiku to Tinubu: Nigerians Must Feel Economic Reforms in Their Pockets
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reassess the impact of his administration’s economic policies on ordinary Nigerians, arguing that improvements in government revenues and economic indicators mean little if households continue to struggle with food, transportation and energy costs.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Atiku said the true measure of economic reform should be its impact on purchasing power, production, employment opportunities and the living standards of citizens.
His intervention comes amid renewed concerns over the cost of petrol, diesel, electricity, transportation and other essential services across the country.
Atiku argued that the effects of higher energy costs extend far beyond filling stations, saying increases in petrol prices feed into transportation fares, food prices, business logistics and production expenses.
According to the former vice president, farmers spend more transporting produce to markets, traders face higher costs restocking their businesses, while workers are forced to devote an increasing proportion of their income to transportation.
He maintained that Nigerian households ultimately bear much of the burden.
Atiku also questioned the emphasis on higher government revenues and economic growth figures when many Nigerians, according to him, continue to experience declining purchasing power.
He argued that economic growth should translate into tangible improvements in people’s ability to afford food, fuel, electricity, transportation and other necessities.
The ADC presidential candidate said rising production costs were equally affecting manufacturers, with businesses facing increased expenditure on electricity, diesel, logistics and alternative sources of power.
He maintained that the combination of high operating costs and weakened consumer purchasing power creates difficulties for manufacturers because businesses may produce goods that consumers increasingly struggle to afford.
Atiku consequently urged Tinubu to consider intervention in the petroleum sector to reduce petrol and diesel prices.
The former vice president has previously advocated a review of the government’s approach to fuel subsidy removal, including targeted intervention aimed at lowering energy costs.
The Tinubu administration and its supporters have disputed Atiku’s approach to fuel subsidy, arguing that restoring subsidy could undermine reforms and reverse economic gains.
Atiku, however, maintained that government should be willing to reconsider policies when their consequences impose significant pressure on citizens.
He also questioned whether cash transfers and other temporary interventions could provide a lasting solution when workers’ incomes are continually affected by high energy and transportation costs.
According to him, palliatives may provide temporary assistance, but broader economic policies should address the underlying factors driving household expenses.
Atiku further raised concerns about electricity costs and reports of plans to phase out electricity subsidies from 2027.
He argued that higher electricity expenses would have implications not only for households but also for small and medium-sized businesses that depend heavily on power to operate.
He cited artisans and businesses including barbers, tailors, welders and frozen-food sellers as examples of enterprises whose operating expenses are directly affected by electricity and alternative energy costs.
The latest intervention adds another dimension to the continuing national debate over the economic consequences of subsidy reforms introduced following Tinubu’s assumption of office in May 2023.
While the administration has defended its reforms as necessary to address longstanding fiscal and structural problems, opposition parties and labour organisations have repeatedly called for measures to cushion their impact on households.
For Atiku, however, the central question is whether economic reforms are producing improvements that Nigerians can experience in their everyday lives.
He insisted that rising revenues and economic growth should ultimately translate into stronger purchasing power, greater production, employment opportunities and improved living standards.
As economic policy becomes an increasingly prominent issue ahead of the 2027 general elections, competing proposals on fuel pricing, subsidies, domestic refining and measures to reduce the cost of living are expected to remain at the centre of political debate.
