Political Firestorm: Atiku Under Attack for Fuel Subsidy Flip-Flop

Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, the Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, has strongly criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, labeling him the “father of subsidy removal” in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Olawepo-Hashim demanded that Atiku explain and apologize to Nigerians for his recent reversal on the issue of fuel subsidy removal, asserting that his unacknowledged change in position constitutes dishonesty.

Olawepo-Hashim has consistently maintained his opposition to the removal of subsidies on petroleum products. He reiterated this stance during a recent interview on Trust TV, where he advocated for the restoration of subsidies on petroleum and other strategically important products. His rationale is that such measures are essential to protect citizens and productive sectors from excessive economic shocks.

The Accord Party candidate expressed concerns regarding the sincerity of politicians who previously championed subsidy removal but are now reversing their positions without expressing regret or providing clear explanations for their shift. He stated, “Some candidates who campaigned in the last election to remove subsidy are now reversing themselves without even regretting their earlier display of ignorance and lack of compassion for the people.”

Specifically targeting Atiku Abubakar, Olawepo-Hashim argued that recanting on subsidy removal without an apology is a form of dishonesty. He emphasized that while changing one's mind due to evolving circumstances or new evidence is acceptable, pretending that a previous position was never held is fundamentally wrong. He highlighted that Atiku, along with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Peter Obi, all campaigned in favor of subsidy removal during the 2023 presidential election, whereas he, Omoyele Sowore, and Prince Adewole Adebayo consistently opposed the policy.

Olawepo-Hashim further asserted that Atiku Abubakar’s advocacy for subsidy removal significantly predates the current Tinubu administration. He characterized the former vice president as one of the earliest and most prominent proponents of both subsidy removal and wholesale privatization within Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, recalling vigorous opposition to these ideas during the early period of the Obasanjo government.