Former Ogun State Governor and All Progressives Congress elder Aremo Olusegun Osoba has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his position on fuel subsidy, arguing that the proposal could draw Nigeria backward.
Osoba’s comments come amid renewed political debate over the removal of petrol subsidy and growing calls from some political figures for a review of the policy.
The former governor described Atiku’s position as a move that could reverse economic reforms implemented by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The subsidy debate has remained one of the most contentious economic issues in Nigeria since Tinubu announced its removal shortly after assuming office in May 2023.
The decision triggered a sharp increase in petrol prices and contributed to higher transportation and living costs for millions of Nigerians.
Supporters of subsidy removal have consistently argued that the policy placed an unsustainable financial burden on government while benefiting fuel consumers at a cost to public finances.
Critics, however, maintain that removing the subsidy without adequate social protection has placed excessive pressure on households and businesses.
Atiku has been among those calling for policies that would reduce the burden of high fuel prices on Nigerians, with the issue becoming increasingly prominent as political parties and potential presidential contenders prepare for the 2027 election.
Osoba, however, believes returning to the old subsidy arrangement would amount to reversing progress made through the government's economic reforms.
The APC elder argued that Nigeria must move away from policies that consume public resources without adequately addressing the structural problems within the economy.
His comments add to a growing confrontation between supporters of the Tinubu administration's reforms and opposition politicians who have criticised their impact on ordinary Nigerians.
The former governor's position is also consistent with the argument from the Federal Government that subsidy removal has freed resources that can be redirected towards infrastructure, social programmes and other development priorities.
Since the policy was introduced, the government has repeatedly highlighted efforts to cushion its impact through initiatives such as the Presidential CNG Initiative and other interventions targeting transportation and household costs.
The administration has also expanded its promotion of compressed natural gas as a cheaper alternative to petrol for commercial and private vehicles.
The strategy is intended to reduce dependence on petrol while lowering transportation expenses for Nigerians in the long term.
The Federal Government has maintained that the transition away from petrol subsidy is necessary to create a more sustainable energy and fiscal framework for the country.
Osoba's latest criticism therefore reflects a broader defence of the administration's decision to maintain the reform despite the political and economic pressure surrounding it.
The controversy is likely to intensify as the 2027 election approaches, with economic policies expected to feature prominently in political campaigns and public debates.
For opposition politicians, the cost-of-living crisis provides a strong basis for challenging the government's economic direction.
For the APC, however, abandoning the subsidy reform could undermine one of the central pillars of Tinubu's economic agenda.
The disagreement also highlights the difficulty of balancing fiscal sustainability with the immediate welfare of citizens.
While removing subsidies can reduce government expenditure, higher petrol prices can increase transportation and production costs across the economy.
Those increased costs can subsequently affect food prices, household expenses and the operating costs of businesses.
The government has therefore faced pressure to demonstrate that the long-term benefits of its reforms will eventually outweigh the short-term hardship experienced by citizens.
Recent efforts to reduce transportation costs through CNG and other alternative-energy initiatives form part of that broader response.
The Federal Government has also sought greater cooperation from state governments to ensure that cheaper transportation becomes more accessible to commuters.
The effectiveness of these measures could influence public perception of the subsidy reform as Nigerians continue to deal with high living costs.
For Osoba, however, the solution does not lie in returning to the subsidy system that successive governments struggled to sustain.
His warning against taking Nigeria backward places the subsidy debate within the larger question of whether the country should maintain its current reform path or reconsider policies that have generated significant public resistance.
The political disagreement is expected to remain prominent as the major parties position themselves ahead of 2027.
Atiku and other opposition figures are likely to continue presenting alternative economic proposals, while APC leaders will defend the Tinubu administration's reforms and argue that their benefits will become more visible over time.
The subsidy controversy therefore remains both an economic and political battleground, with the competing positions reflecting sharply different views about Nigeria's path towards economic stability.
As the debate continues, Nigerians will ultimately judge the competing arguments based on whether government policies can deliver lower living costs, stronger purchasing power and improved economic opportunities.