Atiku: 67.4% of Nigerians Want Fuel Subsidy Restored, SBM Poll Shows

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said a recent survey by SBM Intelligence indicates that many Nigerians want urgent relief from the economic difficulties associated with the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Atiku also claimed that the findings showed growing opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end the subsidy.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the 67.4 per cent of respondents who favoured the restoration of petrol subsidy amounted to a strong public reaction to the government’s economic policies.

He argued that the figure reflected dissatisfaction among Nigerians who, according to him, had been adversely affected by the consequences of subsidy removal.

Atiku said the survey should be viewed beyond the issue of economic statistics, describing it as an indication of public concern over the impact of government policies on households and businesses.

“This survey is no longer merely about economic policy. It has become a democratic question. When an overwhelming majority of Nigerians declare that a government policy is destroying their lives, responsible leadership must listen,” he said.

The former vice president further noted that petrol ranked as the second-most frequently cited national concern in the survey and received the lowest rating among issues associated with the Tinubu administration, with a score of 1.69 out of four.

He said the findings reflected the difficulties faced by families dealing with rising food and transportation costs, as well as farmers and businesses struggling with higher energy expenses.

Atiku said Nigerians had endured significant increases in transportation and food costs since the subsidy was removed, adding that the situation had weakened purchasing power and increased financial pressure on households.

“The survey simply confirms what Nigerians already know: Tinubu’s fuel policy has caused far more harm than good. The policy has been rejected, and the government responsible for it must also be rejected,” he said.

According to Atiku, the survey also showed differences between rural and urban respondents. He noted that 32.4 per cent of rural respondents identified petrol as their main concern, compared with 11.7 per cent of those in urban areas.

He added that petrol was also identified as the leading concern in the South-West, where it recorded 30.5 per cent, and the South-South, with 29.1 per cent.

Atiku argued that the figures demonstrated the widespread impact of rising fuel costs across different parts of the country.

He criticised the government’s approach to subsidy removal, saying the policy was introduced without sufficient measures to protect citizens from its economic consequences.

“President Tinubu removed subsidy with a slogan, not a strategy. He had no credible plan for domestic refining, mass transportation, wage protection or the millions of small businesses that depend on affordable energy,” Atiku said.

He further alleged that warnings about the possible effects of the policy on purchasing power, transportation costs, food inflation and poverty had not been adequately addressed.

Atiku also criticised the administration’s economic messaging, saying Nigerians remained more concerned about the cost of living than official economic indicators or government programmes.

“Nigerians do not eat GDP figures. A mother cannot take FAAC allocations to the market. A worker cannot fuel his vehicle with presidential promises. Any economic reform that does not improve the lives of the people has failed,” he said.

The former vice president said his proposed alternative would not amount to a return to the previous subsidy system, which he described as lacking transparency.

Instead, he proposed what he called a transparent production subsidy for petroleum products refined locally and sold within Nigeria.

“If elected, from May 29, 2027, I will introduce a transparent production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians,” he said.

According to Atiku, imported petroleum products would not qualify for the proposed scheme, while the programme would operate within a fixed spending limit and be subject to National Assembly approval and independent audits.

He said the proposed measure would be aimed at lowering petrol prices, encouraging domestic refining, creating employment and improving consumers’ purchasing power.

Atiku described the 67.4 per cent survey figure as evidence of a demand for government action and said his proposed approach would focus on production, protection and affordability.

He also urged President Tinubu to provide immediate economic relief to Nigerians rather than present the hardship associated with the reforms as unavoidable.

“The people have spoken. The 67.4 per cent is a vote against Tinubu’s cruelty and a mandate for Atiku’s alternative.

“Tinubu made life expensive. Atiku will make life affordable again,” the statement said.