The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has called former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi “clueless” on Nigeria’s economy, while insisting that President Bola Tinubu did not single-handedly remove the country’s petrol subsidy.
Morka made the remarks during an interview on Arise News on Monday while responding to the opposition’s criticism of the fuel subsidy removal and Atiku’s proposal to introduce a new subsidy model if elected president in 2027.
Key Highlights
- Felix Morka calls Atiku Abubakar and Bolaji Abdullahi “clueless” on the economy.
- Morka challenges Atiku to explain how his proposed fuel subsidy would be funded.
- The APC spokesman says Tinubu did not independently abolish the petrol subsidy.
- Morka argues that the National Assembly had already legislated the removal before Tinubu assumed office.
- Atiku has proposed a production subsidy linked to crude supplied to domestic refineries.
- The fuel subsidy debate has become a major issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Morka Calls Atiku Clueless Over Economic Policy
Morka accused Atiku and Abdullahi of failing to properly address the financial implications of their position on petrol subsidy.
According to the APC spokesman, discussions about restoring subsidy often focus on cheaper petrol without explaining how the government would finance the intervention.
He challenged Atiku and his advisers to provide specific figures showing how a subsidy programme would be funded if the former vice president wins the 2027 election.
Morka also accused the opposition figures of exploiting public frustration over the rising cost of living without adequately explaining the economic consequences of their proposed policies.
Morka Says Tinubu Did Not Single-Handedly Remove Fuel Subsidy
Addressing the events surrounding Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023, Morka argued that the President’s announcement that “subsidy is gone” did not represent a completely new decision taken by the executive.
He said the National Assembly under the previous administration had already legislated the removal of the subsidy and that there was no provision in the 2023 budget to continue paying for it.
Morka therefore argued that Tinubu’s announcement effectively implemented a policy that had already been legislated.
The APC spokesman’s position comes amid continued political debate over who should take responsibility for the subsidy removal and the economic consequences that followed.
Morka Questions Funding For Fuel Subsidy
Morka also raised questions about the financial sustainability of any attempt to reintroduce petrol subsidy.
He claimed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was not remitting dollars to the treasury when Tinubu assumed office and argued that government finances were already under severe pressure.
He further claimed that more than 93 per cent of earnings was being absorbed by subsidy and debt-servicing obligations.
According to Morka, maintaining the previous arrangement would have placed further pressure on the economy.
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Atiku Proposes New Fuel Subsidy Model
Atiku has said his proposed subsidy model would differ from the old petrol import subsidy system.
The ADC presidential candidate has proposed a production subsidy for crude supplied to Nigerian refineries, arguing that the approach would support domestic refining and help reduce petrol prices.
Atiku’s campaign has maintained that the proposal would be targeted, transparently budgeted and linked to domestic production rather than a return to the former import-based subsidy regime.
The APC, however, has repeatedly demanded details on the legal, fiscal and operational framework for the proposal, including how the government would finance it and how it would translate into lower pump prices.
Fuel Subsidy Becomes 2027 Election Battleground
The disagreement between Morka and Atiku reflects a broader political battle over Nigeria’s economic direction ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Tinubu administration and its supporters have defended subsidy removal as a necessary reform, while opposition figures have linked the policy to increased living costs and have proposed alternative measures to reduce the price of petrol.
Atiku has maintained that his proposed intervention would focus on domestic refining rather than simply reviving the old subsidy system.
With fuel prices and the cost of living remaining major concerns for voters, the subsidy debate is expected to remain a central issue in the 2027 election campaign.
Morka Challenges Atiku To Provide The Numbers
Morka’s central challenge is that any proposal to subsidise petrol must be backed by clear figures showing its expected cost, funding source and economic impact.
The exchange has further intensified the debate between the APC and ADC over whether Nigeria should continue with Tinubu’s economic reforms or adopt a different approach under a potential Atiku administration in 2027.
As the political contest gathers momentum, the question of how to make petrol more affordable without worsening Nigeria’s fiscal pressures is likely to remain one of the major economic issues before voters.
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