Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has described the promise by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, to restore fuel subsidy as a “political Trojan horse” aimed at securing votes ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Sani said Atiku’s pledge was difficult to implement, arguing that the former vice-president had previously supported the removal of subsidy and had consistently backed economic policies associated with international financial institutions.
The former lawmaker spoke with journalists in Abuja, where he questioned the credibility of Atiku’s latest position on fuel subsidy.
“What he is saying is outright deception of Nigerians,” Sani said.
According to him, Atiku’s promise should not be taken at face value because it represents a major shift from positions he had taken throughout his political career.
Sani said Atiku had previously supported the removal of fuel subsidy and had expressed support for economic policies linked to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
He argued that Atiku’s current position appeared to be driven more by the need to win votes in the 2027 election than by a clear economic plan.
“As someone who has always subscribed to Bretton Woods Institutions neoliberal economic policies, someone who believes in World Bank and IMF prescriptions, devaluation of currency, privatisation of public enterprises and all sorts of capitalist bourgeoisie economic policies, and someone who has, throughout his political history and campaigns, stood for the removal of subsidy, for someone now to make a reversal simply because he needs votes, there is a need for Nigerians to seriously not take what he has said at face value,” he said.
The debate over fuel subsidy has remained one of the most sensitive economic and political issues in Nigeria, particularly since President Bola Tinubu announced its removal in May 2023.
Tinubu, in his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, declared that “fuel subsidy is gone,” bringing an end to a long-running system under which the government paid part of the cost of petrol to keep pump prices lower for consumers.
The decision immediately led to a sharp increase in petrol prices and contributed to higher transportation and living costs across the country.
The government has repeatedly defended the decision, arguing that the subsidy had become too costly and was benefiting wealthy individuals and organised groups more than ordinary Nigerians.
Supporters of subsidy removal have also argued that the money previously spent on keeping petrol prices low could instead be used for infrastructure, education, healthcare and other public services.
However, many Nigerians have continued to complain about the effects of the policy, particularly the high cost of food, transport and other essential goods.
Sani acknowledged the hardship caused by the removal of subsidy, saying the policy had created serious economic pressure for Nigerians.
“I know very well that the removal of subsidy is causing a lot of hardship and economic suffering in the lives of our people, and it has been one policy that has created bad blood between ordinary Nigerians and this administration,” he said.
The former senator, however, maintained that restoring the subsidy would not be an easy task.
He said Nigeria had spent trillions of naira on fuel subsidy in the past, while allegations of corruption linked to the scheme had also raised concerns about the sustainability of the programme.
“For a number of reasons, what he said is virtually impracticable,” Sani said.
He recalled that several individuals and companies accused of benefiting from the former subsidy system had faced corruption allegations and court cases.
“We have also seen how beneficiaries of subsidies use this mantra of subsidy to defraud our country. Many of them have cases in court where hundreds of billions of naira were looted and diverted from the national treasury in the name of importing petroleum products under the subsidy regime,” he said.
The former lawmaker’s comments come as political parties and presidential aspirants begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, who is seeking another opportunity to contest for the presidency, is now running under the ADC after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party amid divisions within the opposition camp.
His decision to make fuel subsidy a campaign issue is likely to attract attention because of the widespread economic hardship associated with the removal of the policy.
The former vice-president has repeatedly criticised aspects of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, arguing that government policies should be designed to reduce the burden on Nigerians.
The subsidy debate has also become a major political issue because petrol prices affect nearly every aspect of the Nigerian economy. Higher fuel costs increase the cost of transportation, food distribution, manufacturing and other businesses.
For many households, the increase in transport fares and food prices following subsidy removal has reduced disposable income and increased pressure on family budgets.
The Federal Government has introduced several measures aimed at cushioning the impact of the reforms, including social intervention programmes and initiatives targeting transportation, agriculture and small businesses.
However, critics have continued to argue that the measures have not sufficiently addressed the rising cost of living.
Sani’s criticism of Atiku therefore reflects a wider debate over whether Nigeria should return to a subsidised fuel system or maintain the current market-based approach.
Those supporting a return to subsidy argue that the policy could reduce petrol prices and ease pressure on households and businesses. Opponents insist that the government cannot afford to return to a system that consumed large amounts of public funds and was repeatedly linked to corruption.
The key challenge for any government considering a return to subsidy would be how to fund the programme without worsening the country’s fiscal position.
Nigeria has faced revenue challenges, rising debt obligations and pressure to increase spending on infrastructure and social services. These factors have made the cost of fuel subsidy a major issue in economic planning.
Sani said Nigerians should therefore carefully examine political promises ahead of the 2027 election and consider whether proposed policies are realistic and sustainable.
His comments are likely to add to the growing political debate over the economic direction Nigeria should take after 2027.
As political parties prepare their campaigns, issues such as fuel prices, inflation, unemployment, insecurity and the cost of living are expected to dominate discussions.
For voters, the subsidy question will remain particularly important because of its direct impact on household expenses.
While Atiku has promised to restore the subsidy, Sani has dismissed the pledge as politically motivated and warned Nigerians against accepting it without examining its economic implications.