Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern over the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, attributing it to the government's inaction on reducing petrol taxes. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku highlighted the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, including skipping meals, struggling to pay for transportation, and watching their hard-earned money dwindle.
Atiku drew a comparison with Germany, which has cut gasoline and diesel taxes by €0.17 per litre from October through December, at an estimated cost of €2.5 billion. This move has led to a decrease in prices at the pump. He emphasized that when fuel prices increase, transportation costs rise, affecting food and other essentials, and ultimately leading to widespread hardship.
The former Vice President noted that Germany's government has taken proactive measures to shield its citizens from rising costs, whereas the Nigerian government has failed to protect its citizens from economic hardship. Atiku's statement comes as petrol prices in Abuja and its environs currently range between N1,370 and N1,420 per litre.
Atiku outlined his plan to restore targeted, budgeted support for fuel refined in Nigeria, with strict auditing and a guarantee that the benefit lowers pump prices. He proposed that support would follow the barrel refined in Nigeria, creating jobs and easing costs for Nigerians. This plan would be funded by cutting waste and protecting against diversion and price manipulation.
Atiku expressed deep sympathy for Nigerians forced to choose between feeding their families, paying for transportation, or meeting other basic needs. He attributed the current hardship to President Tinubu's policies, which he claims have made life unbearably expensive. Atiku vowed to make life affordable again if given the opportunity.
The statement from Atiku's spokesperson also highlighted the differences between President Tinubu's approach and that of other countries, such as Germany. While Germany has taken steps to mitigate the effects of rising fuel costs, Nigeria's government has been criticized for not doing enough to address the economic hardship faced by its citizens.
Atiku's criticism of President Tinubu's handling of petrol taxes and economic hardship comes as Nigerians continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. The former Vice President's proposal for a targeted support system for fuel refined in Nigeria aims to ease the burden on ordinary Nigerians and create jobs in the country.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar criticizes President Tinubu for not reducing petrol taxes to ease economic hardship.
- Germany has cut fuel taxes to shield its citizens from rising costs, unlike Nigeria.
- Atiku proposes a targeted support system for fuel refined in Nigeria to ease costs for Nigerians.
