Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for a production-focused petrol subsidy, describing it as an “ideological wardrobe change,” while Senate President Godswill Akpabio has predicted that President Bola Tinubu’s second term would be a “unity government.” The comments, made amid preparations for the 2027 presidential election, have sparked debate on social media, with critics questioning the government’s economic record, the impact of subsidy removal and the meaning of political unity.
Key Highlights
- Vice-President Kashim Shettima mocks Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for a production-focused petrol subsidy.
- Shettima questions how the proposed subsidy would be funded and whether it could balance the national budget.
- Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, advocates targeted support for locally refined petrol to ease prices and encourage domestic production.
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio describes Tinubu’s proposed second term as a “unity government.”
- Akpabio cites the APC campaign council’s inclusion of politicians from different parties as evidence of broader political cooperation.
- Social media users challenge both claims, raising concerns about fuel prices, borrowing, government spending and political representation.
- The exchanges highlight the growing debate over economic policy and political alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
Shettima Attacks Atiku’s Fuel Subsidy Proposal
Shettima criticised Atiku’s position on petrol subsidies on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.
Describing the political season as “a masterclass in cinematic comedy,” the Vice-President questioned Atiku’s shift towards a policy involving government support for domestic fuel production.
Shettima said Atiku had previously presented himself as a committed capitalist but was now advocating a position he associated with socialist economic thinking.
He challenged the former Vice-President to explain how the proposed intervention would be financed and what other government priorities might lose funding as a result.
“Who pays? Who benefits? And which competing priorities must surrender their funding?” Shettima asked.
He added: “A change of ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget.”
The remarks formed part of the ruling party’s criticism of Atiku’s economic proposals as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
What Atiku’s Fuel Subsidy Plan Proposes
Atiku has advocated targeted support for locally refined petrol as a way to reduce pressure on domestic fuel prices while encouraging investment in Nigeria’s refining industry.
He has argued that the Tinubu administration’s removal of the petrol subsidy has contributed to higher living costs and that support linked to domestic production could help ease the burden on consumers.
Atiku has also accused the Federal Government of adopting aspects of his economic proposals without implementing what he considers a comprehensive production-focused subsidy arrangement.
The disagreement centres on how Nigeria should balance affordable fuel, domestic refining, public expenditure and market-based pricing.
While Shettima questioned the affordability and fiscal implications of Atiku’s proposal, the debate also raises questions about how any targeted support would be designed, funded and monitored.
Akpabio Predicts Tinubu’s Second Term Will Be a ‘Unity Government’
On the same day, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described a potential second term for Tinubu as a “unity government.”
Speaking during plenary of the National Assembly’s upper chamber, Akpabio pointed to the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, which includes politicians associated with parties other than the APC.
Among those mentioned in the expanded campaign structure are Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, associated with the Accord Party, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akpabio said the arrangement demonstrated a level of political inclusion he considered unusual since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
“What we are going to witness is evidence that his second term is going to be a unity government, just like his campaign council is a unity campaign council made up of almost all the political parties in the country,” he said.
He also linked the concept of unity to infrastructure, revenue allocation and a shared commitment to democratic governance.
However, the participation of politicians from different political backgrounds in a campaign structure does not, by itself, establish that their parties have formally merged or that all political differences have been resolved.
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X Users Question Shettima’s Economic Argument
Shettima’s criticism of Atiku’s proposal generated sceptical reactions on X, with some users shifting attention to the economic consequences of the Tinubu administration’s own policies.
Responding to a Newspapers’ coverage, an account identified as @anieeettt questioned the government’s spending priorities and implementation of its budgets.
Another user, @AlobeTunde, asked: “Has subsidy removal balanced budget?”
The comments reflected concerns about the relationship between petrol subsidy removal, government finances and the cost of living.
Other reactions were brief expressions of dismissal, including a post reading “Mtchww” under NTA Network’s coverage of the Vice-President’s remarks.
The responses represent individual social media opinions and do not establish wider public opinion or independently determine the fiscal impact of the government’s policies.
Akpabio’s Unity Government Claim Also Draws Criticism
Akpabio’s description of a potential second Tinubu administration as a unity government also attracted criticism online.
An account identified as @ukemewilson50 replied, “United by borrowed and share.”
Another user, @Muhamma20021276, wrote: “Keep that unity to yourself, we are not voting for APC.”
A further response from @NTardzer questioned why the government had not achieved similar unity during Tinubu’s first term.
The reactions suggest that some commentators view the inclusion of politicians from other parties as a political arrangement rather than evidence of a broader national consensus.
Others have treated the expanded campaign council as an attempt to build a wider coalition behind the President.
The competing interpretations underline the difference between political cooperation among prominent figures and public agreement over the government’s performance.
Fuel Prices, Borrowing and Governance Shape 2027 Debate
The exchanges come as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with economic hardship and the cost of living remaining central issues in political debate.
For the APC, Shettima’s comments reinforce its argument that Atiku’s proposed economic interventions must be assessed against their funding requirements and potential effects on public finances.
For Atiku and the opposition, criticism of subsidy removal provides an opportunity to question whether the government’s reforms have delivered sufficient relief to households and businesses.
Akpabio’s unity-government argument introduces another dimension to the debate: whether cross-party cooperation within Tinubu’s campaign structure can translate into broader political support and effective governance.
Ultimately, the competing claims will be judged against the details of the parties’ economic proposals, their records in office and the issues voters consider most important as the 2027 election approaches.
For more updates on the 2027 race, follow us on X.
