Yuguda warns Nigerians against Atiku’s promise to restore fuel subsidy, says its a political bait

Former Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, has warned Nigerians against campaign promises to restore the fuel subsidy regime, saying his experience as chairman of the Federal Government’s Fuel Subsidy Task Force in 2009 exposed widespread fraud, irregularities and financial leakages.

Yuguda spoke on Tuesday at a policy roundtable organised by the APC Professionals Forum, where he urged Nigerians to carefully examine the economic policies being proposed by politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He specifically criticised the proposal by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, to restore fuel subsidy if elected president.

According to Yuguda, the former subsidy regime imposed a huge financial burden on the country and diverted resources that could have been invested in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, security, agriculture and infrastructure.

“As Chairman of the Fuel Subsidy Task Force in 2009, I led a committee that examined the subsidy regime and uncovered serious irregularities, fraudulent practices, and financial leakages that placed a huge burden on the Nigerian economy,” he said.

The former governor argued that restoring the old system without first addressing the weaknesses that made it susceptible to fraud could place fresh pressure on the country’s finances.

He acknowledged that Atiku’s proposal could appeal to Nigerians grappling with the rising cost of living but urged voters to consider the long-term implications.

“The proposal by former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to restore subsidy may appear attractive to citizens seeking immediate relief, but it must be examined against our national experience,” Yuguda said.

He maintained that the previous subsidy arrangement was characterised by leakages, fraudulent claims and inefficiencies, warning that returning to the system without fixing those problems could undermine the financial gains of the current reforms.

“Presenting a return to that system without clearly addressing these problems risks misleading Nigerians for short-term political gain and could reverse the fiscal space now supporting critical national investments,” he said.

Yuguda also defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the subsidy, describing it as a difficult but necessary reform.

He said successive administrations had recognised the need to end the subsidy regime but lacked the political will to fully implement the reform.

“President Tinubu demonstrated the political courage to implement a reform that previous administrations had acknowledged as necessary but could not fully execute,” he said.

The former governor, however, stressed that Nigerians deserved an evidence-based debate on the country’s economic direction ahead of the 2027 election.

He said politicians had the right to propose alternative policies but that voters should assess such proposals based on their sustainability, cost and likely impact on the economy.

“Having chaired the 2009 Fuel Subsidy Task Force and witnessed the weaknesses of that system firsthand, I believe Nigerians deserve an honest conversation about what subsidy truly cost the nation and what can now be achieved when those resources are directed towards education, security, agriculture, infrastructure, and other areas that improve citizens’ lives,” he said.

Yuguda said the APC Professionals Forum was established to promote evidence-based discussions on national issues and provide a platform for professionals, policymakers and members of the public to engage on policies affecting Nigeria.

“It is a forum for evidence-based assessment, constructive criticism, and policy conversation between decision makers, professionals, and Nigerians,” he said.

He added that the forum would continue to bring together professionals and policymakers to develop ideas and solutions aimed at promoting Nigeria’s economic development and prosperity.

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