‘Nigerians deserve same compassion’ — Atiku asks Tinubu to emulate Germany’s fuel tax cuts

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the rising cost of living.

Atiku, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of his campaign council, that economic reforms should not leave Nigerians struggling to afford both food and transportation.

The former vice-president said families were skipping meals, struggling with transport costs and seeing their earnings depleted before the end of the month.

Atiku said Tinubu’s Independence Day address showed what he described as a disconnect between the government’s economic messaging and the daily reality of Nigerians.

He also criticised the president’s description of fuel subsidies as “addictive” and challenged his claim that salaries and pensions were being paid “on time and in full”.

ATIKU CITES GERMANY’S FUEL TAX CUTS

Atiku contrasted Nigeria’s approach with Germany’s decision to reduce taxes on petrol and diesel to shield households from rising costs.

According to the ADC presidential candidate, Germany reduced gasoline and diesel taxes by €0.17 per litre from October to December at an estimated cost of €2.5 billion, with pump prices beginning to fall.

Atiku said the move showed that governments could intervene when fuel costs put pressure on households.

“When petrol becomes more expensive, transport becomes more expensive. When transport costs rise, food and other essentials cost more,” he said.

“The hardship follows Nigerians from the filling station to the market and into their homes. Germany understands that when fuel prices put families under pressure, the government must act. Nigerians deserve the same compassion and urgency.”

Atiku said his proposed approach would restore targeted and budgeted support for refined petrol in Nigeria, with strict auditing and measures to ensure the benefit translates into lower pump prices.

He said the support would apply to locally refined fuel and would exclude imported petroleum products.

“Support will follow the barrel refined here, creating jobs here and easing costs for Nigerians,” he stated.

Atiku said the scheme would be funded by cutting waste and protected against diversion and price manipulation.

He said lower fuel costs could translate into cheaper transport, more affordable goods and increased disposable income for households.

The former vice-president expressed sympathy for Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of living and said the government should do more to cushion the impact of its reforms.

“To every Nigerian forced to choose between feeding a family, paying for transport or meeting another basic need, I am deeply sorry. You did not deserve this hardship,” he said.

Atiku said the administration had described the difficulties as the price of reform but argued that economic policies should ultimately improve the living conditions of citizens.

“Tinubu made life unbearably expensive and called your suffering the price of reform. I will make life affordable again,” he added.

He said his proposed approach would focus on producing fuel locally, creating jobs, and reducing the cost of living for Nigerians.