Cut fuel taxes like Germany, Atiku tells Tinubu

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government over the rising cost of living, contrasting Nigeria’s fuel-pricing policy with Germany’s decision to temporarily cut taxes on petrol and diesel to cushion energy costs for citizens.

Atiku stated that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has failed in its responsibility to protect Nigerians from the impact of soaring living costs, accusing the government of leaving families struggling to meet basic needs.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku noted that President Tinubu’s Independence Day address failed to reflect the economic reality confronting ordinary citizens.

The former vice president faulted the President’s defence of the petrol subsidy removal and his description of subsidies as “addictive”.

He also challenged Tinubu’s claim that salaries and pensions were being paid “on time and in full”, stating that federal workers continued to report payment delays while pensioners protested over unpaid entitlements.

Atiku’s comments followed Germany’s decision to reduce energy taxes on petrol and diesel from October 1 to December 31, 2026, to cushion consumers and businesses against elevated fuel prices.

The German government announced a reduction in energy taxes by 14 cents per litre, reaching approximately 17 cents per litre when including value-added tax adjustments, to deliver an estimated €2.5bn in public relief.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz explained that the emergency measure was designed to provide rapid relief to households and businesses affected by high energy costs.

Drawing a comparison with Nigeria, Atiku stated that soaring petrol prices had triggered inflationary pressures across the economy, noting that transport costs directly dictate food prices and household supplies.

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 “When petrol becomes more expensive, transport becomes more expensive; when transport costs rise, food and other essentials cost more, and the hardship follows Nigerians from the filling station to the market and into their homes.

“Germany understands that when fuel prices put families under pressure, government must act, and Nigerians deserve the same compassion and urgency,” Atiku said.

He proposed targeted support for locally refined petrol rather than a blanket subsidy, advocating government funding tied strictly to fuel refined within Nigeria and subject to public auditing.

“We plan to restore targeted, budgeted support for fuel refined in Nigeria, with strict auditing and a guarantee that the benefit lowers pump prices.

“Support will follow the barrel refined here, creating jobs locally, easing costs for Nigerians, and eliminating subsidies on imported fuel,” Atiku said.

Expressing sympathy for citizens struggling with high living costs, he promised an economic policy shift if elected to office.

“To every Nigerian forced to choose between feeding a family, paying for transport, or meeting another basic need, I am deeply sorry because you do not deserve this hardship.

“Tinubu made life unbearably expensive and called your suffering the price of reform, but I will make life affordable again,” he said.