Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, has declared that anyone who supports the continued sale of petrol at N1,300 per litre is unfit to lead Nigeria.
Okonkwo made the remark during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, while criticising the administration of President Bola Tinubu over petrol prices, insecurity and electricity supply.
“Anybody who is telling you that Nigerians can pay N1,300 for fuel… I heard diesel had exceeded N2,000 Naira per litre,” he said.
“Anybody who is telling Nigerians to continue paying that is wicked, and is not fit to be a president in this country.”
Okonkwo argued that the government could reduce the cost of refined petroleum products by supplying crude oil to domestic refineries at discounted rates and providing infrastructure for oil-producing companies.
He cited comments attributed to Aliko Dangote, saying: “Dangote himself said, if you supply all the crude I need, the price will come down to N800 instantly.”
President Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy in May 2023, triggering a sharp increase in fuel prices and contributing to higher transportation and living costs.
The subsidy debate has since become a major issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has promised to restore petrol subsidy if elected, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to account for the funds saved from its removal.
Other presidential contenders have also proposed lower petrol prices. Accord candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said petrol would sell for N605 per litre under his administration, while Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Adewole Adebayo promised to reduce the prices of petrol, cooking gas and aviation fuel to N200 per litre.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has opposed a return to petrol subsidy but called for the savings from its removal to be used judiciously.
Okonkwo attacks Tinubu over power, insecurity
Okonkwo also accused the Tinubu administration of worsening Nigeria’s power crisis, alleging that the country had witnessed repeated national grid collapses under the administration.
“Tinubu that ran on the basis that if I don’t provide power for you, don’t vote for me again. We have witnessed the highest grid collapses in Nigeria in history,” he said.
On insecurity, Okonkwo accused the government of failing to protect Nigerians from bandits and terrorists.
He argued that a government unable to prevent mass kidnappings had failed in one of its fundamental responsibilities.
“And when he steps aside, Nigerians should vote for the man who wants fuel to be affordable, who wants security to be provided in a nation where they will march 500 persons from Niger state to the bush, march them, kidnap them, the whole village, without being confronted. That commander-in-chief should go home to his village,” he said.
“He has just failed. And there’s no consequence to anybody who did not perform. Atiku would not allow that.”
Okonkwo also criticised the administration over what he described as excessive import waivers, alleging that N34 trillion had been granted in waivers.
He maintained that Atiku had the experience and institutional knowledge required to address Nigeria’s challenges, pointing to his tenure as vice-president from 1999 to 2007 and his membership of the economic team under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
