Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his promise to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing the pledge as impracticable and an attempt to deceive Nigerians.
Sani made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, questioning Atiku’s decision to reverse his previous position on fuel subsidy.
“What he is saying is outright deception of Nigerians,” Sani said.
The former senator argued that Atiku had previously supported subsidy removal and economic policies associated with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He said the former vice-president’s current position should therefore be viewed with caution, particularly as the 2027 presidential election approaches.
Sani also questioned the financial feasibility of restoring the subsidy, arguing that Nigeria could struggle to fund it while a significant portion of government revenue goes towards servicing debt.
“For a number of reasons, what he said is virtually impracticable,” he said.
According to Sani, the previous subsidy regime also created opportunities for fraud and fuel smuggling. He alleged that subsidised petroleum products were moved across Nigeria’s borders and sold in neighbouring countries.
He maintained that the removal of subsidy had increased funds available to state and local governments for infrastructure and essential services, including roads, schools and hospitals.
Rather than restoring fuel subsidy, Sani urged political leaders to prioritise the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries and expansion of domestic refining capacity.
“If any politician makes pledges to revamp our refineries, so that we can refine our own crude oil, then he is making sense,” he said.
Sani also rejected the argument that restoring fuel subsidy would automatically reduce the cost of living.
“And let us not deceive ourselves. The return of subsidy will not bring down the prices of commodities. It will simply distort the economic stability of our country,” he said.
The former lawmaker acknowledged that subsidy removal had caused hardship and economic pressure for Nigerians, but argued that reversing the policy was not the solution.
Sani urges issue-based 2027 campaigns
Beyond the subsidy debate, Sani urged politicians preparing for the 2027 general election to avoid using ethnic and religious sentiments to win support.
He called on political parties and candidates to focus their campaigns on policies, programmes and issues affecting Nigerians.
Sani also criticised opposition politicians for seeking the intervention or validation of foreign governments and organisations in Nigeria’s political affairs.
He specifically questioned attempts to involve United States President Donald Trump and the European Union in Nigeria’s domestic political contest.
According to Sani, opposition parties should concentrate on convincing Nigerian voters rather than seeking foreign intervention against President Bola Tinubu or his political ambitions.
He said Nigeria’s political parties should protect the country’s sovereignty and strengthen its democratic institutions through issue-based campaigns.
The comments come amid growing political positioning ahead of the 2027 election, with fuel prices and the wider cost-of-living crisis expected to remain major campaign issues.
