- Urges President To Emulate Germany, Cut Fuel Costs To Ease Hardship
- Unveils Alternative Fuel Support Plan, Targets Locally Refined Petrol
Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt measures similar to Germany’s temporary fuel-tax cuts to cushion Nigerians from rising living costs.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Friday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said economic reforms should not leave Nigerians struggling to afford food, transportation and other basic necessities.
He said families were being forced to choose between feeding themselves, paying transport fares and meeting other essential needs, arguing that the situation exposed a gap between the Federal Government’s economic messaging and the daily experiences of citizens.
Atiku’s comments came in reaction to President Tinubu’s Independence Day address, in which the President defended his administration’s economic reforms and described fuel subsidies as “addictive.”
The former vice-president also challenged Tinubu’s assertion that salaries and pensions were being paid “on time and in full,” according to his statement.
Atiku cites Germany’s fuel-tax relief
Atiku pointed to Germany’s decision to temporarily reduce energy taxes on petrol and diesel as an example of government intervention to ease pressure on households.
Germany’s government has confirmed a temporary reduction in fuel taxation from October 1 to December 31, 2026. The measure reduces the energy tax by about 14 cents per litre, translating to roughly 17 cents per litre when the associated VAT effect is included, with an estimated €2.5 billion in relief for consumers and businesses.
Atiku said the German measure demonstrated that governments could intervene when fuel prices placed excessive pressure on households.
“When petrol becomes more expensive, transport becomes more expensive. When transport costs rise, food and other essentials cost more,” he said.
“The hardship follows Nigerians from the filling station to the market and into their homes. Germany understands that when fuel prices put families under pressure, the government must act. Nigerians deserve the same compassion and urgency.”
Atiku proposes targeted fuel support
The ADC presidential candidate said his proposed alternative would involve restoring targeted and budgeted support for petrol refined locally in Nigeria.
According to him, the scheme would be subject to strict auditing and designed to ensure that the benefit translates into lower pump prices.
“Support will follow the barrel refined here, creating jobs here and easing costs for Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku said the proposed intervention would apply only to locally refined fuel and exclude imported petroleum products.
He added that the scheme would be funded through reductions in government waste and protected against diversion and price manipulation.
According to Atiku, reducing fuel costs could lead to lower transport fares, cheaper goods and increased disposable income for households.
The former vice-president also expressed sympathy for Nigerians facing the rising cost of living.
“To every Nigerian forced to choose between feeding a family, paying for transport or meeting another basic need, I am deeply sorry. You did not deserve this hardship,” he said.
Atiku argued that while the Tinubu administration has characterised current difficulties as the cost of economic reforms, such policies should ultimately translate into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
