The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has criticised the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, over his call for President Bola Tinubu to reduce petrol prices and take steps to ease the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.
Morka argued that the former Vice President had yet to provide a clear policy alternative to the economic measures introduced by the Tinubu administration.
He made the remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, following Atiku’s call at a press conference in Abuja for the Federal Government to reduce petrol prices and address the rising cost of living.
Morka said Atiku, as a presidential candidate, should be presenting Nigerians with specific policies capable of improving their living conditions rather than simply asking the President to change his approach.
“The last I checked, the former Vice President is a candidate of a political party for the office of president. He should be telling Nigerians exactly what he plans to do to improve the lives of Nigerians,” Morka said.
He added that Atiku had not clearly articulated any policy proposal that could serve as an alternative to the programmes being implemented by the Tinubu administration.
Atiku had called on Tinubu to use the remaining period of his administration to lower petrol prices, arguing that the rising cost of energy and transportation was increasing financial pressure on households, workers and businesses.
The former Vice President also offered to provide the government with his policy framework, maintaining that any proposal capable of reducing the cost of living should be considered regardless of who introduced it.
“A sensible idea does not become a bad idea because it came from your opponent,” Atiku said.
However, Morka accused Atiku of supporting the removal of petrol subsidy during the 2023 presidential campaign before later criticising the policy after it was implemented by the Tinubu administration.
Atiku has also criticised the proposed removal of electricity subsidies from 2027, arguing that households, small businesses and manufacturers are already struggling with high electricity tariffs, diesel costs and expenses associated with alternative sources of power.
He warned that the government should avoid repeating the experience of petrol subsidy removal in the electricity sector.
Reacting to Atiku’s position, Morka questioned the former Vice President’s record on the power sector while he served in government.
According to the APC spokesman, Atiku had the opportunity to contribute to solving Nigeria’s electricity challenges during his time as Vice President but failed to resolve the problems.
Morka therefore questioned why Atiku was now proposing solutions to challenges he had been unable to address when he had the opportunity to influence government policy.
