APC Chieftain Vatsa Backs Atiku, Urges Tinubu to Restore Fuel Subsidy
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has backed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's criticism of the Federal Government's fuel subsidy removal policy, urging President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the decision.
Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State, said the removal of the subsidy had increased economic hardship for ordinary Nigerians without delivering sufficient benefits to the wider population.
In a statement issued in Minna, Vatsa argued that political differences between Tinubu and Atiku should not prevent the government from considering the substance of Atiku's position on fuel pricing and the cost of living.
He urged the President to rethink the policy and, according to his statement, apologise to Nigerians for the hardship he believes the decision has caused.
Vatsa said the subsidy removal had pushed many low-income Nigerians into deeper financial difficulty, arguing that increased government revenues and allocations had not translated into corresponding improvements in infrastructure and living conditions.
He specifically criticised the state of roads, schools and hospitals, alleging that several government projects remain incomplete despite increased allocations to state governments.
The APC chieftain also questioned government spending, alleging that some political office holders continue to enjoy expensive lifestyles while infrastructure projects remain unfinished.
According to Vatsa, the issue is not necessarily the concept of fuel subsidy itself but the corruption and leakages that previously characterised its administration.
He argued that the government should have focused on eliminating corruption from the subsidy system rather than completely removing the intervention.
Vatsa also pointed to measures adopted by some governments internationally to cushion citizens from rising energy costs, particularly following the economic pressures associated with the Russia-Ukraine war.
His comments come amid an increasingly heated political debate over the future of Nigeria's fuel subsidy policy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, who is now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has previously pledged to restore fuel subsidy if elected president. President Tinubu has criticised that proposal, describing it as evidence of what he considers a misunderstanding of economic management.
Vatsa's intervention is notable because he remains associated with the APC while openly supporting a major policy position advanced by one of the President's leading political opponents.
He maintained that the government should focus on reducing the economic burden facing Nigerians and ensuring that public resources translate into tangible improvements in people's lives.
The debate over fuel subsidy is expected to remain a major issue as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections, particularly as Nigerians continue to assess the impact of fuel prices and broader economic reforms.
For now, Vatsa's call places additional pressure on the Tinubu administration to defend its subsidy policy while addressing concerns over the rising cost of living and the delivery of infrastructure.