The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has chided President Bola Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy without providing palliatives.
Atiku, who lamented during the PDP Retreat for elected officials in Bauchi on Saturday, also observed that such pronouncement should not have been made without discussing with the sectors of the economy.
It could be recalled that Tinubu, in his inaugural speech on Monday, said “subsidy is gone,” leading to panic buying hours later and a hike in pump price by almost 300 per cent two days after.
However, Atiku said, “Let me make a passing remark on the announced fuel subsidy removal. Between 1999 and 2007 the PDP government initiated petroleum subsidy removal and I have chaired the Committee.
“We achieved fuel subsidy in two phases but only after providing palliatives to those most affected by the subsidy removal.
“We had the experience as the party and a government, and that is what we would have done not just announce subsidy removed without discussing with the affected sectors of the economy. I think Nigerians should appreciate what they have temporarily loss.”
Presently the pump price of petrol hovers from N500 and above for a litre of fuel.
