Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over its continued provision of tax incentives and other concessions to oil companies while Nigerians face high petrol prices and increasing living costs.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the criticism in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The former vice-president questioned the consistency of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy alongside incentives reportedly available to petroleum investors.
Atiku questions government’s economic policy
According to Atiku, Nigerians were told that removing the petrol subsidy was necessary and that citizens would have to endure the resulting economic difficulties as part of the reform process.
He, however, argued that the government’s approach appears different when dealing with major oil investors.
Atiku said the continued use of tax credits, concessions and other incentives for petroleum companies raised questions about the fairness of the government’s economic priorities.
“Nigerians were told there was no alternative and that enduring this pain was the necessary price of economic reform. But when major oil investors knock on Tinubu’s door, the sermon changes,” he said.
The criticism comes as households and businesses continue to contend with elevated fuel costs and broader increases in the cost of living.
Atiku’s comments are likely to intensify the political debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and whether the burden of those policies is being shared fairly between ordinary Nigerians and major investors.