Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his proposal to introduce a production-based fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy raises questions about funding and competing national priorities.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, where he questioned Atiku’s economic position ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has advocated a production-based subsidy to support domestic refining and petroleum production, insisting that his proposal differs from the former system of subsidising imported petrol.
Describing the political season as a comedy, Shettima took aim at what he portrayed as a shift in Atiku’s ideological position.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this political season has become a masterclass in cinematic comedy,” the Vice-President said.
He argued that Atiku, whom he described as having embraced capitalism throughout his political career, now appeared to be advocating policies associated with socialist ideology.
Shettima said the former vice-president’s proposed production subsidy raised fundamental questions that political rhetoric could not resolve.
“Who pays? Who benefits? And which competing priorities must surrender their funding?
“A change of ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget,” he said.
The Vice-President also argued that the pursuit of political office required character, intellectual maturity and a sense of responsibility, adding that those seeking the highest positions in the country should demonstrate discipline in their words and conduct.
Atiku had, on August 25, reaffirmed his support for a production-based fuel subsidy, saying his position remained unchanged.
He explained that the proposal was designed to encourage domestic refining and production rather than restore the previous arrangement that subsidised imported petroleum products.
According to the former Vice-President, the proposed scheme would be targeted, capped, transparently budgeted and independently audited.
On October 9, Atiku also criticised the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited retail outlets, describing it as too limited and selective while renewing his call for a production-based subsidy.
However, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the petrol discount was not a subsidy but a sale at cost, with public transport operators given priority.
The exchange comes as political parties and their leaders intensify discussions on economic policies ahead of the 2027 general election, with fuel prices, domestic refining and the cost of living expected to remain key campaign issues.
