African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar accuses President Bola Tinubu of practising “Robin Hood economics,” saying Tinubu “robs the poor” to subsidise the rich and powerful. The accusation comes as political debate continues over Nigeria’s petrol subsidy policy and its removal.
Atiku’s remarks are relayed through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. Shaibu responds to a columnist’s argument about the removal of petrol subsidies and Atiku’s stated plan to restore them. He says Tinubu did not abolish subsidy, but changed who benefits, shifting support from consumers to waivers and incentives for oil-linked interests. Shaibu argues Atiku’s proposal is not a return to open-ended subsidy on imported petrol, but a targeted, capped, budgeted and independently audited support scheme, with a sunset clause.
The outlets frame the dispute around different emphases: the reports highlight Atiku’s characterisation of Tinubu’s approach, while also noting Shaibu’s counter-argument that Atiku’s plan targets consumer price relief rather than reintroducing unrestricted subsidies. Tinubu had earlier declared an end to the fuel subsidy regime during his 2023 inauguration, and the parties have been exchanging claims since last week.
