President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of hypocrisy over his position on fuel subsidy removal, Peak Newspaper reports.
Dare said Atiku’s stance amounted to an attempt to appeal to voters by opposing difficult economic reforms, warning that such a strategy would fail in the 2027 presidential election.
In a post on X, the presidential aide argued that leadership requires politicians to defend difficult decisions even when they are unpopular.
He wrote that “true leadership” involves the courage to stand by foundational reforms during difficult economic periods rather than seeking political support through what he described as populist positions.
Dare further accused Atiku of underestimating Nigerians, describing his position as an insult to citizens who are currently dealing with global economic challenges.
He also said Atiku’s approach was driven by desperation and urged Nigerians to reject what he described as political innuendo ahead of the 2027 election.
The exchange is part of an ongoing disagreement between Atiku and Tinubu over the removal of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy.
Tinubu, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated Atiku, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in that election.
During his inauguration at the Eagle Square in Abuja in May 2023, Tinubu announced the end of the fuel subsidy regime, a policy that has remained one of the major points of debate surrounding his administration.
As preparations for the 2027 presidential election intensify, Atiku has criticised the policy and promised to reverse the subsidy removal if elected.
Dare, however, defended the reform and argued that reversing it would amount to pandering to public sentiment for political gain.
The disagreement over fuel subsidy is expected to remain a major issue in the political debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
