Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's proposal to reinstate petrol subsidy, describing it as an election-driven policy reversal that could threaten Nigeria's economic stability.
Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement in Abuja, Yilwatda said the proposal raises serious concerns about the opposition's readiness to govern, stressing that Nigerians deserve well-thought-out economic plans rather than campaign-season promises.
He argued that restoring the subsidy regime would place a heavy burden on public finances and reverse reforms introduced to address long-standing fiscal and economic challenges.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman questioned why the opposition was only unveiling such a policy a few months before the 2027 general election after years without presenting what he described as a comprehensive alternative economic agenda.
Yilwatda insisted that any proposal to return fuel subsidy must clearly explain how it would be financed, the sectors that would bear the cost and how it would avoid the fiscal pressures that prompted its removal.
He maintained that subsidy removal was a difficult but necessary decision, adding that government had continued to introduce measures aimed at cushioning its effects through social interventions and support for productive sectors of the economy.
The APC chairman said true leadership lies in taking difficult decisions that promote long-term national growth rather than making politically attractive promises designed to win votes.
He urged Nigerians to carefully assess the economic programmes of all presidential hopefuls and distinguish between policies that tackle structural problems and those that merely offer short-term political appeal.
Yilwatda also criticised what he described as inconsistency within the opposition, arguing that politicians who frequently change political parties cannot convincingly present themselves as champions of stability and good governance.
He contrasted this with President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, whom he said have maintained a consistent commitment to the progressive political movement throughout their careers.
The APC chairman added that the Tinubu administration remains focused on reforms aimed at attracting investment, boosting domestic production and reducing dependence on unsustainable government spending, warning that reversing such policies without credible alternatives could weaken investor confidence and worsen fiscal pressures.
He called on Nigerians to make the 2027 general election a contest of ideas, competence and practical economic solutions, reaffirming the APC's commitment to policies it believes will deliver a more productive, investment-friendly and sustainable economy.
