Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for 2027, has dismissed promises by politicians to restore the fuel subsidy system in Nigeria as deceptive. His remarks come in light of earlier commitments made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who pledged to implement a targeted subsidy if elected president.
During a visit from the National Working Committee of the APC, Yari argued that the subsidy regime has become financially burdensome and lacks transparency. He stated that restoring the subsidy would only exacerbate current issues facing the country. Yari noted that the 2023 budget, which was approved by the National Assembly prior to President Tinubu’s assumption of office, included no provision for subsidy payments.
Yari emphasized the absence of a coherent financial framework to support such a program, stating, “Anyone claiming they will bring back the subsidy is lying.” He also raised concerns over the lack of accurate data regarding fuel consumption and its associated costs, suggesting that previous figures related to subsidy payment were unclear and potentially inflated.
As a former governor and chair of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Yari pointed out that governors have long sought reliable consumption figures from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which have not been satisfactorily provided. He criticized the notion that Nigeria’s subsidy system was aiding other West African countries, calling it an insufficient explanation.
In terms of campaign strategy, Yari indicated that the APC would focus on showcasing the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration, utilizing substantial data to support their claims rather than resorting to personal attacks on opponents. He expressed confidence in Tinubu’s capability to lead Nigeria into the future and reiterated that the current administration’s policies would continue to receive voter support.
