Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has criticised former Vice President and African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Speaking in Abeokuta on Saturday during a sensitisation and mobilisation programme in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, Showunmi argued that Nigeria’s previous experience with petrol subsidy had failed to deliver the expected benefits.
He said the country had operated subsidy for decades and questioned why it should return to the policy when, according to him, previous administrations had failed to achieve lasting results from it.
Showunmi also defended the Tinubu administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, saying the policy had increased revenues available to the federal, state and local governments.
He maintained that the government’s current economic direction should be given sufficient time to produce long-term results.
Showunmi further called for continuity in governance, arguing that frequent changes in leadership can disrupt the implementation of economic policies.
On the 2027 presidential election, he urged voters in the South-West to support Tinubu, saying the region should demonstrate strong electoral support for the president.
Atiku has maintained that he would restore a form of petrol subsidy if elected, arguing that Nigerians should benefit more directly from the country’s resources and that lower fuel costs could help reduce transportation and food prices.
