The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised the Atiku subsidy plan, describing it as inconsistent with the former Vice-President’s earlier position on petrol subsidy.
Adebayo spoke on Wednesday during an interview with News Central, following Atiku Abubakar’s declaration that he would restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Atiku, who is contesting under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has argued that Nigeria has enough resources to provide relief for citizens through measures aimed at reducing the cost of petroleum products.
However, Adebayo said the position contradicted Atiku’s stance during the 2023 presidential election.
He recalled that Atiku had previously advocated the removal of petrol subsidy and proposed changes involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC.
“My colleagues are changing parties, changing manifesto. For example, Vice President Atiku Abubakar said four years ago he will remove subsidy on day one and he will sell NNPC,” Adebayo said.
“Now four years later, he is in another party saying no, I am going to restore subsidy.”
The SDP candidate described the change as a contradiction in policy.
“Something that was in place, you said you will remove it. Now your colleague removed it. Now you say you want to put it back. Inconsistency,” he said.
The debate over the Atiku subsidy plan comes more than three years after President Bola Tinubu removed petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023.
The decision triggered a sharp increase in petrol prices and contributed to rising economic pressure on households and businesses.
Atiku has maintained that his proposed intervention would not represent a return to the former subsidy regime.
Instead, he has said his approach would focus on using Nigeria’s crude oil resources to support domestic refineries and reduce the cost of petroleum products for consumers.
Adebayo, however, questioned the changing positions of political leaders ahead of the 2027 election.
He argued that frequent movement between political parties, coupled with changes in policy positions, could make it difficult for voters to assess the ideological commitments of political candidates.
The controversy surrounding the Atiku subsidy plan is expected to remain part of the broader economic debate as political parties prepare for the 2027 presidential election.
For Adebayo, consistency in policy positions remains important for political credibility, particularly when candidates seek the support of Nigerians on economic issues.
